A 19-year-old from Salisbury has opened up about her fight with cancer over the pandemic and achieving her goals.

Megan Campbell who grew up in Downton was diagnosed with a gastric malt lymphoma at 17 years old, at the end of her first year of A-Levels. 

She was busy working on her medical school application and was about to start a summer course when she took ill and had to go to hospital. 

The former South Wilts Grammar School student said: “When I did come home from hospital with my bag of medication, I started to feel better and began preparing for my medical admissions exam. 

“I was then delivered the news I had cancer which threw another spanner into the works. My life felt like it was crumbling around me and I had no control over what happened.” 

Megan still went on to do her admission tests, but was told that she had secured a university interview at the same time as she found out she had to start chemotherapy.  

“I was devastated and it took me a few weeks to start feeling better about my situation and just about life in general,” she said.

“I managed to pick myself up and did my interview which gained me a place at medical school providing that I got the exam results required.” 

Megan started Chemotherapy in January 2021, just as the country was entering another lockdown, and wasn't able to return to school when the rest of her school mates were so had to continue online. 

"That was quite difficult as well, because you feel kind of different to everyone else, and I also had to do my A Level exams at home because I couldn't return to school," she said 

"It was definitely a strange year and different to what it would have been like before the pandemic. 

"My school was really great in that they provided online lessons, which was really good so I was really supported in that way."

After securing herself an offer, Megan went on to achieve the grades she needed in her A-Levels and in August 2021 she was given the great news that she was cancer free.

She will start at Exeter University this September, after a gap year where she is now working as a health assistant at the hospital to gain valuable experience.

“I definitely feel a lot more positive now, in a much better space mentally as well, trying to live more in the moment and enjoy positive parts of life and take them while they’re there," she said.

“I am so grateful to myself and to my parents and teachers for encouraging me to carry on and not give up despite all the obstacles that had been put in my way. 

“Life is just so unpredictable but it is those times when you look back at your journey, you almost shock yourself that you managed to get where you wanted to.” 

Megan is sharing her story alongside fellow young people facing cancer by celebrating her big achievements and small wins this World Cancer Day, February 4. 

This is part of an initiative by Young Lives vs Cancer, a UK charity for children and young people with cancer, that is marking the day by passing over their social media channels to young people to celebrate each and every win.

In a survey from February 2021, 52% of young people and families supported by Young Lives vs Cancer charity felt they were not coping well with the pandemic and 39% of young people were having to face their treatment alone, with no visitors. 

However, 95% of respondents said that support from the charity made a positive difference to their life. 

Chief Executive at Young Lives vs Cancer Rachel Kirby-Rider said: “Going through cancer when you’re young is life shattering, you have big plans and dreams and then cancer comes along and puts a line through it all. 

“Children and young people we support now are facing this as well as the added pressure of an ongoing pandemic. On top of isolation and fear, many young people have had to face news and treatment alone without someone holding their hand, due to restrictions.   

“After an especially tough couple of years for young people we support, like Megan, we believe every win is an achievement. Whether that’s graduating, getting that first job or some days just putting one foot in front of the other.”

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