In January this year my life was turned upside down. Out of nowhere, with no prior illness or symptoms, I was diagnosed with advanced (stage 4) lung cancer that whilst treatable, can never be cured. The type of cancer I have, known as ‘ALK positive’ non small cell lung cancer, is relatively rare, accounting for only 3-5% of lung cancer cases in the UK. It is a cancer that is associated with a mutation in the Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) gene that causes the uncontrollable growth of cells, in turn leading to the growth of tumours. The disease is not hereditary.

Like me, the vast majority of people who are diagnosed with ALK positive lung cancer are under the age of 50 when diagnosed (some much younger), have little or no smoking history and most are diagnosed at stage 4. To say I have been unlucky feels like a massive understatement, but cancer does not discriminate and anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.

ALK Positive UK is a charity that works tirelessly to ensure that everyone who is diagnosed with ALK positive lung cancer

•    Receives the best possible care;
•    Lives their best life possible; and
•    Lives as long as possible.

I am very fortunate that I live within half hour of the Christie Manchester, a world leader in cancer care, research and education. However, not all ALK patients live near to such specialist centres and so ALK Positive UK strives to raise awareness of ALK positive lung cancer across the medical profession in the UK to ensure patients receive the best treatments and standard of care.

The charity is also an incredible source of information for patients to enable them to be better informed, empowering them to ask the right questions of their health care providers. For me this is so important as I feel that knowledge and being able to ask the right questions is the only control I have over this cruel disease.

Most importantly, ALK positive UK has brought together a community of fellow ‘ALKies’ who support each other through their cancer journey in so many ways. I am so thankful that I have incredible family, friends and colleagues who surround me with so much love and support and have got me through some very dark times since my diagnosis and who continue to support me as I battle cancer every day. Whilst at the moment I am responding positively to my treatment and feeling physically well and Iiving a relatively normal life, I live everyday with the harsh reality that I might not see my two young children in to their teenage years and grow old with my husband, something I think I will never come to terms with. Living with cancer can sometimes be very lonely and can only truly be understood by those going through the same ordeal, which is why the support of ALK Positive UK and its members have too been invaluable to me.

So I thank you with all my heart for any donation you are willing to give to this wonderful charity.

Lisa
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