April Grierson, now 21, a make-up artist from the Belle Vale area of Liverpool documented her cancer journey at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre on Tik Tok.

April first noticed something was wrong when she began suffering from night sweats and increasingly itchy skin, and after being treated for suspected scabies, noticed a lump on her neck.

She said: “As soon as I noticed the lump on my neck and that it was growing, I knew that my other symptoms were more than initially thought.”

On the same day as going for the tests, April was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that affects your lymph nodes and lymphatic system.

“As soon as they said that my boyfriend could come into the hospital – which wasn’t allowed at the time due to Covid – I knew it was bad news.”

April underwent IVF egg retrieval at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, before starting chemotherapy which could affect her future fertility and unfortunately had to stay in hospital for two weeks after experiencing OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) which is a rare side effect of fertility treatment and caused fluid to collect on her lungs.

April continued, “It was quite a rocky journey before even beginning my chemotherapy treatment but I was determined to stay positive which I think definitely helped. I knew my own strength and knew I could get through it.”

“Everyone on the Teenage and Young Adult Unit at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre was amazing – they were supportive and understanding every step of the way.

“When I first started documenting my journey online, I never expected to receive the response I did. I got about five million views and thousands of likes for my first video – I had to turn all my notifications off as I couldn’t keep up! It was strange but nice in a way to be able to share my experience and hopefully help other people going through similar.”

Professor Nagesh Kalakonda, Consultant Haemato-Oncologist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a fairly rare form of blood cancer that commonly affects lymph nodes. It affects people between the age of 15 and 35 and often presents with prominent lymph nodes, unintentional weight loss, night sweats, persistent itching and breathing problems.

“April presented with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was treated at the TYA unit in our new hospital in Liverpool. Our TYA service provides clinical and much needed psychosocial support to patients between the ages of 16 and 24. Treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma in this age group is highly effective with chemotherapy leading to cures, though the treatment is not without side effects that need careful management.

“To her credit, April was always incredibly positive throughout her treatment and I know has inspired many others across the world by sharing her journey.

“We all wish her the best in her continued recovery and rehabilitation into life and society.”

New research by Blood Cancer UK has found that more than half of UK adults can’t name a single symptom of blood cancer, despite it being the third most deadly cancer in the UK.

To mark Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September, the leading blood cancer charity highlighted the worrying gap in awareness of the signs and symptoms.

Of the 2,230 UK adults polled by YouGov, 55% said that they did not know any of the common signs of blood cancer which include; fatigue, bruising, swollen lymph nodes and night sweats.

Even more worrying is that 25% of those surveyed said that it would be somewhat or extremely unlikely that they would consult with their GP if they had any of these symptoms.

Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director of NHS England – North West said: “Being aware of the signs and symptoms of blood cancer, and being diagnosed early can make all the difference.

“If you have persistent symptoms, including breathlessness, a fever, tiredness, unexplained bruising, swollen lymph nodes or night sweats, it’s so important that you see your GP as soon as possible.

“It will probably be nothing to worry about, but if it is blood cancer, catching it early increases the chance of survival.”

There are many types of blood cancer, including Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma – and one in 19 people will be diagnosed with blood cancer at some point in their lives.

Blood Cancer UK have expressed their concern that some people are downplaying some of the symptoms of blood cancer, such as night sweats and unexplained tiredness, weight loss and bruising as signs of other, less serious conditions.

Symptoms of blood cancer can include:

• weight loss that’s unexplained
• bruising or bleeding that’s unexplained
• lumps or swellings
• shortness of breath (breathlessness)
• drenching night sweats
• infections that are persistent, recurrent or severe
• fever (37.5°C or above) that is unexplained
• rash or itchy skin that’s unexplained
• pain in your bones, joints or abdomen (stomach area)
• tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep (fatigue)
• paleness (pallor) – the skin under your lower eyelid looks white rather than pink.

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For further information and to access more photos, please call North West media enquiries: 07736 484 533 or email england.nwmedia@nhs.net