Demie’s Story
Demie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just 6 years old, 20 years on she is a Paediatric Intensive Care Nurse in London and has been in remission for over 18 years. Demie shares her story for International Cancer Survivors Day…
Hello I am Demie, I am a 26-year-old and working as a paediatric Intensive Care nurse in London - I am also a Stage 4 Neuroblastoma survivor.
I was diagnosed on April 15th 2005 at Maidstone hospital in England when I was 6 years old and I was treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton for almost 2 years. My 5 years of NED (no evidence of disease) was in July 2011. I have now been in remission for 18 years and I have been making the most of every day…
I am now a happy and healthy 26-year-old. I am a Children’s Nurse annd winner of the student nurse of the year 2021. Although I have been in remission for a long time, I have continued to be part of the neuroblastoma community including being a guest speaker for multiple different causes. I notably gave a speech on my experiences, challenges and downfalls of being a cancer patient at the Solving kids Cancer Neuroblastoma conference a few years in a row. I enjoy advocating for the community through my work as a nurse, having recently a co-authored an oncology research paper and published my first book on life as a student nurse in the NHS.
Despite my illness I have lived life to the full and taken on many challenges including running The Royal Parks Half In 2019 for the Royal Marsden Hospital - the hospital I was treated at as well as recently climbing to Everest base camp with my husband. A challenge within itself but very beautiful.
Since I was 17 years old I have travelled on and off to dozens of countries. These were a fantastic opportunity to broaden my experiences, meet others and include myself in other cultures. After living with the uncertainty that I may not have children I most recently welcomed my daughter, who is now 18 months. I have however always beaten the odds. I am proud at where am I today and I will continue to support others and ease awareness in this community.
I wanted to share a positive neuroblastoma cancer story to give hope to families who are currently facing this disease. There is hope.
We would like to say a big thank you to Demie for sharing her story.
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