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For some children, their dreams are interrupted and sometimes shattered, by a cancer diagnosis.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, we want them to have the best possible chance of surviving and of going on to lead a full life.
As part of our Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we asked children and young people with cancer what they want to be when they grow up. Here you can see some of the hopes and dreams these children have for their future, and find out more about their stories.
Will you help us spread awareness of childhood cancer by sharing these stories? Help us throughout September by sharing using the hashtag #WhenIGrowUpCCAM across all social media channels.
Sam's story
Sam was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at five years old. He finished chemotherapy in April 2017. When he grows up he wants to be a lawyer.
Read Sam's storyOwen's story
Owen was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour in February 2014, at four years old. In December the same year he was told he's in remission. When he grows up Owen wants to be a programmer.
Read Owen's storyNieve's story
Nieve was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour in August 2017, at just five years old. She rang the end of treatment bell in October 2018. When she grows up she wants to be a unicorn.
Read Nieve's storyKodie's story
Kodie was four years old when he was diagnosed with a Wilms' tumour. He's now been given the all clear. When he grows up he wants to be an actor.
Read Kodie's storySophia's story
Sophia was diagnosed with infantile acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2017, at only two years old. She rang the end of treatment bell in September 2019. When she grows up she wants to be a singer.
Read Sophia's storyLucy's story
Lucy was diagnosed with a pituitary blastoma when she was seven months old in 2012. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher so she can help the children to learn.
Read Lucy's storyHollie's story
Holly was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2009, at just 19 months old. This year she is 10 years all clear, and is doing really well. When she grows up she wants to be a dentist.
Read Hollie's storyDevon's story
Devon was diagnosed with Stage IV MYCN amplified Neuroblastoma in 2015. He was two years old. In March 2016 he got to ring the End of Treatment Bell. When he grows up he wants to be a computer game designer.
Read Devon's storyLewis' story
Lewis was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2018. He was only a year old. Lewis is still undergoing treatment. When he grows up he wants to be a pilot.
Read Lewis' storyLiam's story
Liam was diagnosed with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in November 2017, at only 8 years old. When he grows up he wants to be a footballer, journalist or doctor.
Read Liam's storyBella's story
Bella was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2016. She was two years old. She could ring her end of treatment bell in March 2019. When she grows up she wants to be a vet.
Read Bella's storyAbbie's story
Abbie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in January 2018. She was eight years old. Sadly she relapsed in May 2020, and is now in hospital having treatment. When she grows up she wants to be a nurse.
Read Abbie's storyJosh's story
Josh was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma, a very aggressive cancer, in 2014. He was three years old. Josh was able to ring the end of treatment bell after four months in hospital undergoing chemotherapy. When he grows up he wants to be a zoo keeper.
Read Josh's storyDaisy's story
Daisy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2016. She was four years old. After two years and two months of intense treatment, Daisy rang the end of treatment bell in November 2018. When she grows up she wants to be an archaeologist.
Read Daisy's storyAstrid's story
Astrid was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when she was two years old. Astrid is now on maintenance treatment, and appears to be a totally healthy, normal child now. She's always smiling and laughing. When she grows up she wants to be a nurse.
Read Astrid's storyLuke's story
Luke was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a very rare cancer, when he was just six months old. Today he is in secondary school and doing well. When he grows up he wants to be a champion gymnast.
Read Luke's storyFelix's story
Felix was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2016. He was 10 years old. He's recently celebrated his one year anniversary of being off treatment. When he grows up he wants to be a world class footballer.
Read Felix's storyPhoebe's story
Phoebe was diagnosed with Wilms' Tumour, a type of kidney cancer, shortly before her second birthday in 2012. She had her tumour removed, and now she only has check ups every two years. When she grows up she wants to be a writer
Read Phoebe's storyVega's story
Vega was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2012. By 2014 she had completed intensive treatment followed by maintenance treatment. Today Vega is doing well. When she grows up she wants to be happy and healthy.
Read Vega's storyAlice's story
Alice was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in 2019, a week before her second birthday. She required a prolonged, hard-hitting treatment programme. When she grows up she wants to be a friendly dragon.
Read Alice's storyErin's story
Erin was 15 months when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She had a very tough treatment plan, but finished her treatment in 2013. When she grows up she wants to be a chef.
Read Erin's story