A young woman who blogged about her battle against bowel cancer and subsequently inspired thousands has passed away just days after receiving an award for her bravery.
Hannah Lyson, 20, was diagnosed with the disease last May – a mere three weeks before she was set to spend the summer in America working as a camp counsellor.
Her family broke the news about her death to over 5,000 followers in a poignant Facebook post this weekend. They wrote: “Hannah fought so hard to get well but it wasn’t to be. We are all so proud of her and we will continue her work to raise awareness that you’re never too young.”
The Burscough blogger raised thousands for the Teenage and Young Adults unit at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, and was subsequently honoured with a ‘Hero of Heroes’ accolade at a ceremony in Southport last Wednesday.
YouTube: Hannah’s Bowel Cancer Journey
Kennedy Lacy, who studied to become an airline cabin crew worker at Liverpool City College with Hannah, paid tribute to her late friend.
She told JMU Journalism: “Hannah was bubbly and always knew what she wanted. We were close because we shared the same dreams of working for British Airways and travelling the world, so it breaks my heart to think she will never get to do that now.
“I remember when she came into college and told us all about her diagnosis, it was an emotional day. We all got up and gave her a hug, our teacher was in bits. No one could believe it.”
Doctors initially believed Hannah suffered from irritable bowel syndrome, but tests revealed numerous tumours growing on her bowel and liver. This led her decision to blog her experiences.
She previously spoke candidly about her condition and was confident that she could fight the disease having watched two of her sisters battle thyroid cancer and leukaemia.
However, earlier this month doctors decided not to continue chemotherapy treatment on Hannah, which she described at the time as the “worst news imaginable”.