Local mum shares blood cancer story to highlight importance of medical research in Northern Ireland

Today is World Lymphoma Awareness Day, part of Blood Cancer Awareness Month.

Giving Hope for 60 Years: Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI's Legacy in the Fight Against Blood Cancer: As we celebrate 60 years of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI's tireless work in the fight against blood cancer, we are honoured to share the powerful stories of those who have been directly touched by this disease. Through a series of compelling case studies, patients, family members and researchers open up about their personal journeys, offering a poignant look at the challenges they’ve faced, the resilience they’ve shown and the hope that continues to drive them forward.

A local mother of three has shared the story of her fight against blood cancer during lockdown to highlight the importance of supporting local medical research funded by Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI.

Steph Stephens from Belfast was just 41 when she discovered a lump under her arm. The following six weeks were filled with scans, tests and biopsies before she eventually received a diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma in July 2020.

“It was terrifying. My husband and I had three children aged nine, eight and four at the time and a million things start to run through your head.

Steph Stephens, who received her blood cancer diagnosis in 2020 is calling on the public to support local medical research and donate to Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI.
Steph Stephens, who received her blood cancer diagnosis in 2020 is calling on the public to support local medical research and donate to Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI.

“The hardest part was sharing the news with the children. At first, I was against telling them, I simply didn’t want them to carry that worry. But my husband, quite rightly, said that we needed to be up front with them. Looking back now, though it was very difficult telling them that their mum had a cancer diagnosis, it was absolutely the right thing to do. I think taking such an honest approach at the time really helped take the weight off my shoulders in some ways too.”

Steph received news of her diagnosis whilst Northern Ireland was in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her medical team recommended she undergo a six-month course of chemotherapy and they got Steph started with her treatment almost immediately. Years on, Steph has been able to reflect on what it was like to go through intense treatment during the pandemic.

“I suppose in some ways there were both positives and negatives. I found losing my hair as a result of the chemotherapy very distressing but at the time nobody was going out to restaurants or cafes. So I spent most of the time wearing a baseball cap and didn’t really have to face the wider world.

“The flip side of that was you weren’t able to be close to friends and wider family when you needed them most. You also couldn’t have anyone with you when you visited the hospital. When I attended crucial appointments my husband had to wait downstairs. Sometimes it felt very much like you were doing it on your own. In fact, because of lockdown, a lot of people didn’t find out about my diagnosis until quite far down the line.”

Fortunately, in January 2021 Steph’s final PET scan showed her body had produced the full metabolic response the doctors were seeking and the treatment had worked.

“It was one of the highlights of my life. To hear those words was amazing.

“Looking back now, it’s cliché but it absolutely puts things in perspective. People say, ‘your health is your wealth’ and it’s taught me to worry less about work issues or other smaller problems. When you’re in the waiting room ready to receive scan results, you would give anything to get the news you want to hear. That’s when you realise your health is the only thing that’s important. I am so very grateful to the teams of doctors and medical professionals who showed such care throughout my diagnosis and treatment.”

Funds raised by Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI pay for the pioneering work of a team of researchers at Queen’s University in Belfast. Blood cancer treatment is their only focus.

“Looking back now, it’s cliché but it absolutely puts things in perspective. People say, ‘your health is your wealth’ and it’s taught me to worry less about work issues or other smaller problems"
“Looking back now, it’s cliché but it absolutely puts things in perspective. People say, ‘your health is your wealth’ and it’s taught me to worry less about work issues or other smaller problems"

Looking back, Steph highlighted how her experience opened her eyes to the important role medical research has in achieving positive outcomes for patients living with blood cancer.

“I think it’s not until you receive that kind of news that you realise how important research like Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI funds really is. People volunteer their time or give money to charities, but I don’t think most realise just how critical that is to keeping life-saving research going.

“When you discover you have blood cancer but are also told there is a treatment lined up for you which has been continuously developed and improved over the years, offering reduced levels of toxicity it dawns on you how important work is being conducted at the Cancer Centre in Belfast and further afield. It’s work that really deserves everyone’s support.”

Leukaemia and Lymphoma NI recently announced a special programme of activities to mark the 60th year of the charity and raise funds for the fight against blood cancer.

Alongside this, the charity is calling for those who have experienced Leukaemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma and their loved ones to share their experiences online via the LLNI website.

The photos and extended captions gathered will form part of a special online canvas presented online where members of the public can read the stories of people affected by blood cancer across the region.

The programme will culminate in the charity hosting a Black Tie & Diamonds Gala Ball at Titanic Belfast, where the winner of an ongoing raffle for a diamond pendant necklace will be selected at random.

Members of the public can share their story, make a donation or buy tickets for the diamond necklace raffle on the Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI website – www.llni.co.uk.