Alexandros' story | Christmas Star Appeal 2024

This Christmas join Weston Park Cancer Charity’s Christmas Star Appeal and give a gift which could change someone’s life. Your donation could help support someone like Alexandros, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 28.

"I came to England from Greece to study in 2018, and from the moment I arrived I felt at home. After I graduated, I lived in Leeds, and then I moved to Sheffield to work as a production engineer.

During that time, I was experiencing a lot of intense mood swings; I just couldn’t regulate my emotions at all. I was also losing weight rapidly – at one point I lost about 20 kilos in 3 weeks.

I’m a trans man, and initially the doctors thought that my symptoms were being caused by the testosterone I was taking. But I just knew that wasn’t the case. My mum had thyroid cancer in her thirties, and I started to wonder if my symptoms were linked to the same cancer.

I’d had blood tests, which were all fine, but for more than 2 years I kept asking for an ultrasound because my gut was telling me something serious was going on. When the results came back and the doctor called to confirm that I had cancer, I had an out-of-body experience. Apparently, I spoke to the doctor on the phone for 20 minutes, but I don’t remember it at all. When we hung up, I collapsed in floods of tears.

My diagnosis came at the worst possible time: I’d been feeling so unwell that I’d handed in my notice at work so I could return to Greece. I knew I needed to stay in England for my treatment but now I was facing cancer with no source of income. It felt like I was drowning. Every time I got my head above water another wave would come crashing down.

After the scan, I had more tests and biopsies. The doctors found that the cancer had metastasised to the neighbouring lymph nodes on both sides of my neck. They estimated that it had been growing inside me for around two and a half years.

The doctors operated on me for 10 hours and removed 37 lymph nodes from my body. Unfortunately, I had rare and life-altering complications after surgery. I’ve been left with complex regional pain syndrome, which has led to reduced mobility and altered sensation on my right side. I also now have hypocalcaemia, and will have to take calcium tablets for life."

Finding community

"During my treatment, one of my doctors suggested that I should reach out to Weston Park Cancer Charity. I was sceptical as to whether a charity could help me, but I was amazed by the staff at Weston Park. Everyone has been incredible. Nikki helped me to apply for benefits, Vicky always gave me a huge hug when I visited the charity hub and even greeted me in Greek, Dawn relieved my pain with reflexology, and Sally Ann managed to calm my brain and my body.

Fran, a Healthcare Professional at the charity, provided me emotional support and encouraged me to join the Weston Park coffee mornings. I thought I would feel out of place because I was the youngest person in the group, but everyone was lovely. They supported me in so many ways and reassured me that all the feelings I was experiencing were valid."

The future

"In September I got the all-clear. It was a massive relief but at the same time it still doesn’t feel real. It takes so much time to process the fact that you’ve got cancer, let alone accept that it's gone. I don’t think I’ll ever stop worrying about it coming back.

Right now, I’m focusing on the future and how I can help people. I’m currently applying for a master’s in human rights, so I can work to tackle some of the injustices in the world. I’ve also recently taken up tango lessons and I’m setting up a special class for people who are living with cancer.

In Greek we have a lot of words to describe our emotions. In English, I’d say I’m so ‘grateful’ for the people I’ve met through Weston Park – but that word isn’t strong enough to describe how I truly feel. Cancer took a lot from me but it also brought so many amazing people into my life. For the first time, I don’t feel alone. I feel like I’m part of three amazing communities."

Cancer changes everything, but this Christmas so can you. Your generosity will help people like Alexandros to access vital support services.