Hannah and Paul
Hannah Gibson’s story is heart-breaking and warming at the same time. Hannah, 24, was diagnosed with cancer after going to hospital because she felt run down.
‘I had just turned 23 when I was taken into hospital, I had lumps in my neck that had been there for a few months but I put it down to having a bad cold and being stressed about a new job. The Friday before Christmas I began to feel incredibly ill and went to visit an out of hour’s doctor. They immediately admitted me to hospital for further tests – I was allowed to go home for Christmas but had to return a few weeks later for tests.
Last year marked Hannah’s diagnosis; ‘On January 15th 2013 I was told I had cancer. I had surgery to remove a lump from my neck and in February was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease. I then started 6 cycles of chemotherapy.’
After shaving her head she began blogging about her treatment and experiences on: http://mydatewithmrhodgkins.blogspot.co.uk/
In August 2013, Hannah was given the all clear and in February 2014, her boyfriend Paul proposed to her marking a year exactly since she began her chemotherapy treatment.
Hannah previously worked in marketing for a film agency, but has since changed course and is now part of the Cancer Research marketing team, combining her training and her experiences to help others, she says ‘cancer made me realise what was important.’
Hannah is supporting Shine Night Walk, Cancer Research UK’s night-time walking marathon, taking place in London on 27 September 2014. Enter at shinewalk.org or to volunteer at the event head to www.shinewalk.org/volunteering