Cancer never really meant anything to me. I mean, I knew a few people to get cancer and I understood it's a horrible disease, but I was lucky it was never anyone close to me. I thought that cancer was one of those things your parents generation get. Old people who'd lived a good few years probably abusing their bodies a bit, with alcohol or smoking. You know, you read things like "living a healthy lifestyle helps reduce the risks of cancer". Well, I was fairly healthy and so were my friends so I was quiet content with the idea that I'll just deal with cancer in a few years when I'm old enough.

Silly me. My whole idea went to pot when last September, my lovely best friend was diagnosed with Leukaemia. I soon learnt that actually, cancer doesn't care if your older. Or if you smoke and drink. Or even if just like my friend you're the most humble and genuine person working hard to bring up their beautiful two children. It can happen to anyone.

It's easy to say that I was heartbroken when I found out how ill she was. You can kind of guess people have that reaction. What I couldn't get my head round was that this was my best friend and there was no reason why this was happening to her. But of course, there is no reason. Cancer can happen to anyone.

Luckily, my best friend completely kicked cancer's ass! Which is a truely beautiful thing. But we have to thank the medicine we have today which helps survivors through. Without cancer research, there would be no medicine. It's so important we continue to fund cancer research so we can begin to see more cancer survivors and more people can have a happy ending to their story!

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