A COURAGEOUS Southport student, who was treated for cancer as when she was 15, is the star of an inspiring short film encouraging people to Stand Up To Cancer.



Holly Allen, 21, has joined forces with Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 to highlight the joint fundraising campaign, which accelerates new cancer treatments and tests to patients.



With around five people diagnosed with cancer every hour in the North West, Holly is sharing her cancer journey to help motivate men and women in Southport and Merseyside to join the fight against the disease.



Since its launch in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised over £38 million to help speed up research and save more lives.



By taking part in the film, Holly hopes to draw attention to the impact cancer research has had on her life – giving her more precious time to do the things that she loves.

Holly was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, aged just 15, and was completely knocked for six when doctors were unable to assure her she would ever dance again after side effects left her needing crutches as she was too weak to even walk.

But Holly has spectacularly bounced back and she is sharing her cancer experience in the hope of inspiring and motivating other unfortunate young people who face the disease.

Holly, who is now 20, was a keen dancer - training six days a week after school - and had been very lucky to get a place for a week at a prestigious dance summer school in London.

But during the very first warm-up class Holly felt faint. She was able to continue but it was obvious to her parents at the end-of-week show she was not performing at her best.

When they went on a family holiday to France Holly looked pale and continued to feel tired, weak and had no appetite.

When she felt increasingly unwell on her return home she still didn’t think it was anything serious.

The family were living in Swansea at the time and on her first day back at Bishopston Comprehensive School, Holly felt out of breath and had a bad headache.

Her mother, who is a scientist, and father, a doctor, were concerned and results from a blood test confirmed there was a problem and they immediately took Holly to their local A and E.

She was transferred to a specialist oncology unit where tests confirmed she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Holly remained in hospital for a month while her chemotherapy treatment got underway.

During two years of treatment she had to return to hospital many times because of complications and gruelling side effects.

Although Holly was only able to attend school occasionally she was determined to finish her GCSEs with the help of a home tutor when she was well enough.

She said: “I had been advised to take a year out to have the treatment, but I wanted something to focus on and distract me. Going to school was hard because 15-year-olds don’t know what to say when they are faced with someone who has cancer.

“I felt very insecure and embarrassed at how I looked. Steroids I had to take made me puffy and bloated, I had lost all my hair by then and the drugs affected my skin”.

But Holly was very proud when her hard work and determination was rewarded with 11 GCSE passes, including one A* and eight As.

Although still undergoing treatment, by the time Holly had left school and started at Gorseinon College in Swansea her hair had started to grow back and she decided to ditch wearing a wig.

She found it daunting but still managed to pass with three As and a B at A-level.

However, Holly was relieved when, in her second year at college, her father was offered a new job in Liverpool as she had felt very isolated and found it difficult to make friends where she was.

The family agreed it would be good for Holly to have a fresh start and they moved to Southport where Holly attended school.

The teenager, who was still having treatment, found it helped being with a new group of people who only knew her as she was then and not as she used to be.

In her first year there she won a Student of the Year Award for the energy and effort she put into studying humanity and the arts. Holly is now in her third year studying English at Nottingham University.

Recalling her roller coaster journey through cancer treatment she said: “I was aware that the chemotherapy treatment could make my bones weak and the side-effects may not be temporary.

“I suffered tingling in my hands and feet and I needed to use crutches because my ankles were so weak.

“I ask the doctor if I would ever dance again. He said he couldn’t answer that.

“That knocked me for six and made me feel very sad. But I was determined to get back to fitness”.

Holly started walking short distances with members of her family and gradually went further and further until she got stronger. She is now back to full fitness with the help of regular weight training.

The film shows her walking in a park as well as rock climbing and weight training.

Holly continued: “Cancer has had a huge impact on my life and I want to share my story to inspire people going through a difficult time. I'm happier than ever and I finally have my confidence back. I stand up to cancer in my own way each and every day, by making it to the gym or posting positive messages about my weight training and healthy eating on my Instagram.

“I’m so grateful for the treatment I’ve received. It thanks to research I’m still standing, so I want to do everything I can to ensure no-one’s life is cut short by this devastating disease.



“That’s why I’m calling on everyone in Southport and Merseyside to join me and Stand Up To Cancer. Research is cancer’s number one enemy. Raising vital funds for life-saving treatments is a great way to get payback on the disease for people like me and all our loved ones who have been affected.”



Stand Up To Cancer is supported by a host of celebrities including Davina McCall, Sharon Osbourne, Alan Carr, Joel Dommett and Kirsty Allsopp. This year’s campaign culminates on Friday 26 October with a night of live TV on Channel 4 led by the brightest stars in film, TV and music.



It aims to accelerate the translation of brilliant scientific discoveries into innovative cancer medicine, tests and treatments. Every pound raised will help to support this progress and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.



This year, there are many ways to Stand Up To Cancer and show support. Cancer Research UK is calling on everyone in Southport to take a stand and do something to help raise some cancer-crushing cash at work, school or at home.



Whether you’re a gamer, a football fan, or a budding baker, the charity is urging people in the city to get started right now and sign up for their free fundraising pack which includes everything supporters need to spark creative ideas and help beat cancer sooner.



Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Merseyside, said: “We’re grateful to Holly for showing both the realities of cancer and the positive impact research and improved treatments can have on people’s lives.



“One in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives. Our fight against the disease is at a turning point and more people in the UK are surviving than ever before. But we can’t afford to stand still. That’s why we need people in Merseyside to act right now and help strike a blow against this terrible disease.



“Every day, scientists and researchers work tirelessly to beat cancer, and with the support of the people of Merseyside, we can continue to fund ground-breaking research to help save more lives, more quickly. The time to act is now - come together, join us and Stand Up To Cancer.”



People across the North West can also show their support for the campaign in style as a fun range of clothing and accessories for men, women and children is available online and in Cancer Research UK shops.



To get involved visit standuptocancer.org.uk