When Jacob Allen was 15 years old he started experiencing problems with his breathing that he initially put down to asthma. However as time went on he began to suffer with night sweats and a suspicious-looking lump developed on his neck.
After being checked for possible glandular fever, which came back negative, he was given blood tests at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff which confirmed that he was living with cancer. "I was quite scared but I didn't want to get myself too overwhelmed until I knew everything about it. I didn't want to get myself in a state where I thought it was going to be really bad," he said.
A biopsy revealed that Jacob had stage three Hodgkin's lymphoma, an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, and cancerous tumours were found in both his neck and chest. Within days the teenager started his gruelling chemotherapy treatment and lost his hair. "It was quite difficult at first. It made me feel very tired and very sick. It put me off all my favourite foods," he added.
In the first two months following his diagnosis in February 2020 Jacob said he spent much of his time at the Teenage Cancer Trust-funded unit on the grounds of UHW which provides specialised care for young people with the disease. He said the unit allowed him to interact with other young people going through similar treatments, which helped him massively.
"It's quite a homely place. It made me feel safer as everyone was in the same position as me. All the nurses were really kind and helpful and there were plenty of games to play to keep us occupied," added Jacob.
However within weeks of beginning his treatment the coronavirus pandemic hit which meant Jacob was classed as particularly vulnerable due to his weakened immune system. It meant there were visiting restrictions across the hospital and he was required to have his chemotherapy at the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales instead.
Despite the setbacks Jacob said he found solace in running and started using his dad's treadmill in their home in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, to build up his strength. "I started walking on it during my treatment while I was watching TV. When I finished my treatment I started to pick up the pace and run a bit then after lockdown I started going outside," he explained.
"Getting out of the house and into the fresh air to run helps take the pressure off and gives me a chance to find peace for an hour or so. It allows me to be with my thoughts a bit and reflect what I've gone through. Running in short bursts and gradually longer distances has been a really good way for me to feel healthy and fit again and I would recommend running to other young people going through cancer who want to find a sport that is healthy, free, and gets you outdoors."
Jacob, who is now 17 and taking his AS-levels at Stanwell School, finished chemotherapy in August 2020 and was given the all-clear soon after – but he will need frequent check-ups and scans for the next few years to ensure it hasn't returned. He is running the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday, April 3, to raise essential funds for the charity Teenage Cancer Trust. To date he has raised in excess of £1,000 on his JustGiving page. To donate please go here.
"My parents, family, and friends have been – and are continuing to be – a great support through my journey with cancer. However not everyone is as fortunate which makes it even more important that young people battling cancer are given the support they need. This is not possible without donations," he said. "There has been a lot of ups and downs over the past two years but now life is beginning to feel normal again."
His dad Stuart Allen said he was incredibly proud of everything Jacob has endured over the past two years and added: "From diagnosis to treatment we didn't really have time to think. And then to go straight into lockdown made it even more of a whirlwind. But I'm really proud of what he's doing and how well he's coped with it.
"The Teenage Cancer Trust centre was fantastic and there was always someone there to give you advice and let you know how things have gone. Me and my wife could go in with him until the pandemic really took off. It's a bit more of a relaxed environment."
Every day seven young people in the UK aged 13-24 are diagnosed with cancer. Teenage Cancer Trust's services for young people with cancer are entirely dependent on fundraised income. The money raised by Jacob will be used to fund specialist hospital units, nurses, and youth workers across the UK that provide age-appropriate care and emotional support to those in need.
