CANCER FIGHT BOXER NOW HELPS OTHERS
Student nurse taking on challenges
AN AMATEUR boxer has spoken about how the biggest fight of her life has led to her helping others, barely a year after she thought she would die from cancer.
Erin Lewis, from Aberporth, Ceredigion, was diagnosed with stage four cancer 14 months ago.
Incredibly, she was given the all-clear five months later after what she described as a “brutal” bout of chemotherapy, and she’s now helping people going through the same thing in two very different ways – she treats cancer patients in her role as a student nurse and she’s raising money to help others facing the disease.
“I was diagnosed in February last year and at the time it was terrifying,” said Erin, who has overcome Hodgkin Lymphoma – a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.
“I had no idea what lymphoma was and really thought it was the end for me. Luckily, it’s a cancer that’s been thoroughly researched enabling a higher success rate of survival.”
Erin, who is 24 and has represented Cardigan in the ring, now studies nursing at Manchester University.
“I was inserting a PICC line (catheter) into this guy’s arm the other day and had a sense of deja vu,” she said.
“Less than a year before I’d been undergoing the same procedure myself – it felt surreal.”
Less than a year since she was given the all-clear, Erin has decided to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge this month and the Great Manchester
Half Marathon on May 21, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, a charity which continues to battle against a type of cancer that particularly affects people of Erin’s age and those even younger.
“Unfortunately, people diagnosed with brain tumours often get told by doctors they have very limited treatment options and could die within five years,” Erin explained.
“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet only two per cent of national funding gets allocated to this devastating disease. I believe that with more research and funding we will find a cure. Science is making huge strides all the time.”
For Erin, getting to university in the same year as the cancer diagnosis was an achievement.
“Getting to Manchester in September seemed a long shot, but I’m so grateful that Pembrokeshire College – including Principal Barry Walters – had such faith in me,” she said.
“Yes, I had some tough times and lost all my hair, but I got there in the end.”
She added: “I know people are struggling financially, but every donation – no matter how small – will help.”