A new bride from Leeds will be hosting a fundraiser on September 11 to shed light on blood cancer awareness. Courtney Wilson-Calder, 28, was diagnosed with Hodkin lymphoma on August 18 after she found a lump in her neck.
Courtney was in the process of planning her wedding when she first noticed the symptoms. She married her partner and was relieved to find out that her biopsy revealed no cancer cells.
However, she then found another lump and when she received the call that her test results had come through she found out she had lymphoma just a day before her 28th birthday.
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Courtney is now raising money and awareness around her cancer, she went viral on TikTok and has received over £4,185 in donations to her JustGiving page so far.
Courtney said: "Lymphoma symptoms can be hard to diagnose and recognize. I first found a lump in my neck in March but the Doctor thought it was a swollen lymph node. When it grew and became painful, I went to see a specialist who told me it could be cancer”
“I spent time away from work with loved ones who helped me come to terms with what I could be facing. I spoke to my Fiancé and I decided I wanted to get married before I started any treatment.
"After planning a wedding in five weeks, I was told my biopsy had no cancer cells. I relaxed, my friends planned me a hen do and I was so happy and relieved.
"I married the man of my dreams but we didn’t expect what was coming next. I found another lump and after another biopsy, I got a call to go to the hospital for my results a week earlier than expected.
"I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma the day before my 28th Birthday.”
Sarah Thorn, Community and Partnerships Manager at Lymphoma Action said: "Everyone at Lymphoma Action is thinking of Courtney and wishing her the very best with her treatment.
"We want to say a huge thank you to her for so bravely raising awareness of lymphoma and fundraising for us, especially when she has only just received her diagnosis,” says Sarah Thorn, Community and Partnerships Manager at Lymphoma Action.
"In the UK, 53 people a day receive a lymphoma diagnosis making it the most common blood cancer. Our vision is to ensure nobody has to face lymphoma alone and with amazing people supporting us like this we can move closer to achieving that.”
You can donate to the Lymphoma Action JustGiving page here.
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