Hello, my name is Harriet and I’m taking part in walking 60 miles in March for Teenage Cancer Trust

In June 2025 I got diagnosed with tall cell papillary thyroid cancer, which turned my whole world around, in which I had surgery in July 2025 and radio active iodine treatment in October 2025.

Thyroid cancer is classed as “ the good cancer” to many, as if “good” somehow get rid of the fears, the surgery, the isolation during your radio active iodine treatment, the lifelong medications and constant appointments. ‘Good doesn’t mean easy, and it certainly doesn’t mean I haven’t been changed by it’. I’ve been told so many times “atleast you’ve not lost your hair” as if that makes this disease I’ve been fighting any better?

I’ve faced so many challenges since my diagnosis, but one thing that has really helped me battle through this journey is the amazing friends I’ve met through the teenage cancer trust events. It’s been so good to be able to talk to other young people who are going through similar struggles as me and it wouldn’t have been possible without these events.

After my surgery I felt scared to try and get back to “normality” whilst awaiting my second part of treatment, I felt scared to put myself out there and step outside my bubble. My youth support coordinator Lois has been amazing, offering me someone to talk to and keeping me in the loop with upcoming events. She visited me whilst I was in hospital post surgery to check in on how I was feeling and if I needed any extra support with anything.

I remember telling Lois how nervous I was to attend my first event, seeing GK Barry because I didn’t know anyone and so she met me in a coffee shop before hand so I didn’t have to turn up on my own. She offered me support and validated my feelings that no cancer is a “good” cancer and that I was allowed to feel the way I feel. This event allowed me to meet now one of my closest friends Neve, who also received a thyroid cancer diagnosis.

These events give me something positive to look forward to, with upcoming events to go to an escape room and attend Albert hall! They offer various events so everyone can get involved with something, almost all of these events are funded by donations and I would like to do something to give back as they have helped show me some light through this journey.