At just 16, Abbie Ledger’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with MEN1 – a rare genetic condition which mainly affects the endocrine glands and can cause tumours throughout the body.
“Being a teenager is tricky enough, but the diagnosis really shook me,” says Abbie, now 21, from Alderney. “Despite MEN1 being a genetic condition, neither of my parents had been diagnosed, and I’d never even heard of it before. Even the doctors seemed surprised by what it was.”
After months of tests, in 2020 doctors revealed Abbie had tumours in both her brain and pancreas, with the latter confirmed as cancerous.
“I was devastated. I just wanted to be a normal teenager with my friends, doing the things I loved, like making jewellery and arts and crafts, not someone facing cancer. It was a really scary and uncertain time,” Abbie recalls.
Doctors kept a close watch on Abbie’s tumour, but in 2023, with her condition worsening, Abbie was told she needed surgery to remove the tumour on her pancreas. However, living in Alderney – a Channel Island with just 2,000 residents – the local hospital couldn’t carry out the complex procedure. Instead, in January 2024, she had to fly to Southampton for the operation.
“Facing cancer and having to travel away from home for an operation wasn’t just scary, it was expensive,” explains Abbie, who was put on sick leave from her job in a care home.
Abbie wanted her mum, Lisa with her for the surgery in Southampton“I’d never had any kind of surgery before, so I was really nervous about being under general anaesthetic and wanted my parents with me. But they couldn’t afford to travel to support me, so I used all of my £2,000 savings to cover their flights and a hotel near the hospital so they could be with me. Of course it was worth it to have my family close to me, but I was penniless.”
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Thankfully, the operation was a success, with Abbie spending a further two weeks recovering in Southampton Hospital.
Once back home, however, her cancer journey was far from over. She had to return to the UK regularly for check‑ups, adding further financial strain on her family.
Support came from her Young Lives vs Cancer social worker, Kate, who introduced her to Jean’s House – a Home from Home in Southampton – saving her hundreds of pounds in hotel costs. Kate also helped Abbie secure a financial hardship grant, easing the burden of these expenses.
“Young Lives vs Cancer provided so much comfort during that time and helped ease the stress when I needed to focus on my recovery, not my financial situation,” adds Abbie. “They were also there to support me emotionally, as well as my mum, Lisa, and dad, Steven, who were understandably stressed and worried too. Kate truly became our rock and I knew she was there for me whenever I needed her.”
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While there is no cure for Abbie’s condition, thanks to the help and support of Young Lives vs Cancer, she has since been able to fulfil her dream of opening a nail salon.
“It’s been a difficult few years, and it’s worrying to know there is no cure for my condition,” explains Abbie. “I currently have another lesion in my pancreas, which doctors are monitoring, and the brain tumour has been reduced with medication that I continue to take. It’s something I will have to live with for the rest of my life, but I know Young Lives vs Cancer will be there every step of the way.
“Without their help, I would have been in so much debt. They lifted a huge weight off our shoulders and I couldn’t be more grateful, which is why I’m now helping to raise money for such an amazing cause. When you have cancer, dealing with financial struggles is the last thing you want to think about and thanks to Young Lives vs Cancer, I was able to focus on healing and reclaiming my life.”
A Home for Christmas appeal
The i Paper is proud to support Young Lives vs Cancer through its Christmas Appeal, A Home for Christmas, helping to make a lasting difference for families with children facing cancer.
The appeal aims to raise £100,000 to ensure the charity can continue providing vital, tailored support – from financial guidance and emotional care to its “Homes from Home” accommodation centres, which allow families to stay together near hospital during treatment.
To donate, visit younglivesvscancer.org.uk/i-appeal or text IPAPERTEN to 70580 to donate £10 or IPAPERTWENTY to donate £20.*Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.
What your money could buy
£5 could print five storybooks to help a child understand the cancer treatment they are having. £10 could buy food so families can cook a meal to enjoy together away from the hospital canteen. £18 helps power a Home from Home for a day. £52 means a social worker could provide emotional and practical support (such as applying for financial help or attending difficult appointments) so children and their families don’t have to face cancer alone. £70 could pay for a family stay in a Young Lives vs Cancer Home from Home so they can be near their child in hospital with cancer. £100 could fund a hardship grant for families.Hence then, the article about cancer treatment left me penniless but young lives vs cancer saved me was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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