Do you have a hero like brave Hannah?
IT HAS been almost a year since inspirational blogger and cancer fighter, Hannah Lyson, was honoured at Your Heroes Awards.
The Your Heroes Awards recognise people, organisations, schools and sports teams who go that extra mile to make their community a better place.
The 20-year-old was recognised after she inspired thousands by blogging about her journey with bowel cancer – but days after winning the award, she lost her battle with the illness.
Hannah, who lived in Burscough, was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 19 years old, three weeks before she was due to spend the summer of 2016 travelling around the US.
A truly determined young woman, she quickly set up a blog, and a Facebook page – Hannah’s Bowel Cancer Journey – to share her experiences with others, to inspire other young people suffering from cancer, and to let them know they are not alone. Her Facebook page now has almost 7,500 “likes” and continues to inspire others.
Because of her illness, she was unable to attend the Your Heroes awards ceremony, where she was given the top award.
Her mum, Beth Lyson, said that the award still stood proudly on Hannah’s dressing table in her bedroom. She added: “She was amazed when she won the award, she was so pleased.
“It came at a time when she was at her lowest, when she was told treatment wasn’t working.”
She added: “I continue to post on Hannah’s Bowel Cancer Journey Facebook page, as before she passed, she made me an administrator. I think that was her way of telling me I needed to continue her work.”
Hannah’s followers, family, and friends, are also continuing to raise funds for charities.
Her cousin, Amy, and friend, Lauren, took part in The Royal Parks halfmarathon in London, in August, raising £1,295 for Beating Bowel Cancer.
And her boyfriend, Paul Healey, took part in a charity boxing event in October to raise funds jointly for Beating Bowel Cancer and the Zak Vali foundation.
Beth added: “Everyone who has been involved in any sort of fundraising in Hannah’s memory is tremendous.”
If you know someone who is inspirational, like Hannah, who deserves to be recognised, nominate them for Your Heroes 2018.
Fill in the form below or email the details to jayne. middlebrook@trinitymirror.com with the subject “Your Heroes Nomination”.