Hi Im Joe aged 19. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer in October 2022 I am currently having chemotherapy and had 25% of my bowel has been removed. 

Young lives vs cancer has really helped support me and my and family as they do many others   I want to give back.  But most importantly raising awareness for bowel cancer in the young.  I was disregarded for months as I was deemed "too young" by hospital doctors for bowel cancer even though I had all of the symptoms. 

I also want to thank Ilfracombe Sea Cadets and staff for there support.  I was a sea cadet from the age of 11  then briefly joined as staff before joining the Royal Navy January 2022. 

When a child is diagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their family. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, overwhelming money worries, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. But every day 12 more children and young people hear the devastating news they have cancer. We’ll face it all together – but we can’t do it without you.

To find out more visit www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk