Meet Alice

Alice was diagnosed with Thymic Cancer at 23 years old, she writes about her experience getting diagnosed, how yoga and psychology have been instrumental to her and describes what feels like a full circle moment as she is back working as a stem cell trans

My name is Alice, and I am 25 years old. I am a children’s nurse and have been for 4 years and love my job! I enjoy baking, gardening, reading and being outdoors.

I distinctively remember the first email I received from Tasha and thinking to myself how grateful I was for such a friendly email and all the support that they were offering me. It was a breath of fresh air, and I felt so relieved. I was diagnosed with thymic cancer in April 2023, it was a big shock when I was diagnosed. Especially after being told that it was nothing to worry about for so long (I first started developing symptoms in May 2022). I had a gut feeling that it was something more and I am so glad that I listened to my body and chose to have surgery.

I cannot put into words how grateful I am for all of the support you have provided. It has been a breath of fresh air and I really don’t think I would be the person I am today without it. I was able to process a lot of trauma I experienced through my cancer journey with the help of Nicky (clinical psychologist) and I will be forever grateful for that. The regular yoga sessions with Katy have been incredible. I have learnt to love my post-cancer self and build strength. Since I have received your support, I have felt less alone in the scary cancer world and you will always hold a special place in my heart.

All of the support has helped me feel like myself again. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Ella Dawson Foundation. Cancer is so consuming, and it felt like I was walking around with a big grey cloud over my head. I now have my life back and have found my new ‘normal’. I have been able to go back to work and enjoy life again! I now work as a stem cell transplant nurse and care for children with cancer. It feels like a very full circle moment, and I’d like to think my experience with cancer can help shape the way I care for my patients’.