"I think sometimes you need a good cry and a rant and then you pick yourself up and get on with it." - Aileen

I'm Aileen, and I'm the mother of Kay who was diagnosed with ALK+ lung cancer in 2016 aged just 17. I was part of her support and care team throughout her illness until she sadly passed away in July 2023.

Kay was a Health & Social Care Student on diagnosis, and managed to go to Sheffield Hallam University to study adult nursing, qualifying and working as a nurse with lung cancer and sometimes a chest drain. A lung cancer diagnosis had a truly shocking effect on everyone close to Kay including family and friends, but the way Kay dealt with her diagnosis inspired us all - she did not want to be treated any differently.

She had the most amazing specialist oncologist nurse called Shona and a brilliant team looking after her through the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Weston Park, Sheffield. Kay soon adjusted to the new cancer normal which we all did through their support. Her oncologist never put any restrictions on Kay and encouraged her to do everything she wanted to do.

As Kay's Mum, I found invaluable support through family, friends, Kay's nurse Shona, and the ALK worldwide Facebook online community - though it took me a year to find that virtual group. Kay got her support from her family - me, Dad Phil, brother Ewan, Shona, and friends who treated her as normal, always available to listen and advise.

Kay lived well with lung cancer for over 7 years. She helped fundraise for our charity Research ALK +ve and did the social media. We renamed it in her memory in 2023 to Research ALKay +ve and on 1st January 2025 a project fully funded for 2 years started at the University of Michigan in Kay's name. I think positivity is important and looking around to see what everyone out there is coping with helps.