'Dear Cancer' video documents young woman's journey in support of Stand Up To Cancer
A powerful and deeply personal video titled “Dear Cancer” has been created by 27-year-old Katie Gold from St Albans to mark four years of being cancer-free.
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Katie, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at just 22, hopes her emotional video letter—shared on TikTok—will inspire people to support Stand Up To Cancer this autumn
In an emotional video, Katie confronts the disease that changed everything for her. Cancer stole her twenties, shattered her dreams, and tested her strength. But through the pain, she found the courage to carry on. Now in remission, she's embracing life fully and calling on all of us to support life-saving cancer research.
Katie, who works as an administrator in higher education, says she’s ‘still standing’, thanks to the power of research, and is sharing her story to help raise money for the joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
Stand Up To Cancer takes developments from the lab and accelerates them into new tests and treatments.
In the East of England, around 37,400 people are diagnosed with cancer every year.* With cancer cases on the rise, Katie understands the need to make faster advances all too well. An estimated 722,000 new cancer cases are expected in the East of England over the next 15 years* and, by 2040, it’s projected one person in the UK will be diagnosed with the disease every two minutes. In the 1970s, it was every four minutes.**
Kaie was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma after discovering a lump on her neck during a weekend break with friends. “It felt like a golf ball,” she recalls. “I asked my friends to feel it, and I just knew something wasn’t right.” Although Katie had been experiencing fatigue, she initially dismissed her tiredness as a passing phase.
An urgent referral led to a biopsy and a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma—a rare blood cancer that often affects young people. “I received a phone call asking me to come into hospital,” Katie said. “I walked in and saw a nurse and a doctor waiting for me. Right then, I just knew—it was cancer.
“When I was told ‘you have cancer,’ it's difficult to comprehend. I was fit and healthy, and sport has always been one of my passions. I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me. But cancer does not discriminate.”
Katie underwent a year-long course of chemotherapy. “Without this treatment, I wouldn’t be alive today,” she said. “It was tough, but it got me through the worst period of my life. When I was told I was cancer-free, it was just amazing. I owe everything to developments in research and better treatments. They’ve given me the greatest gift of all - a future full of special moments with my loved ones."
Now four years on, Katie continues to share her journey online, using social media to support others. One video detailing her early cancer symptoms has reached over 1.6 million views. “I’ve been amazed by the response and the messages of support I’ve received,” she said. “There is support out there. Cancer is not something you need to face alone. Family and friends are important, but reaching out to people on a similar journey can be so helpful and it's so important to create awareness.
"Cancer can affect anyone’s life, at any time, so we really have no choice other than to unite against it and help support the scientists to keep making new discoveries.”
Grateful for the treatment she received, Katie is calling on people across Hertfordshire to flex their fundraising muscles to help power more progress.
Gym goers and sofa surfers alike are being urged to take on Stand Up To Cancer’s Sweat Every Day in November Challenge.
From burpees, squats and lunges to curls, press-ups and sprints – anything goes. All people need to do is complete 30 minutes of exercise every day during the month. Supporters can also choose to donate or raise money in their own way with a free fundraising pack available online.
Katie added: “Success stories like mine show that there is hope. Every action, big or small, could make a difference in beating this devastating disease. That’s why now is the time for everyone across Hertfordshire to Stand Up To Cancer.”
The campaign is helping to transform the landscape of cancer therapy. Since its launch in the UK in 2012, Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than £113 million, funding 73 clinical trials and research projects involving more than 13,000 cancer patients.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Hertfordshire, Patrick Keely, said: “Thanks to our supporters, our scientists are trailblazing new and better ways to help more people like Katie survive. From using AI to optimise radiotherapy treatment for rectal cancer to creating lollipops that could detect mouth cancer, we’re at the cutting edge of research. But we must go further and faster.
“Almost one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime.** All of us can help beat it. That’s why we’re asking everyone to Stand Up To Cancer, whether they donate, fundraise, or take on our ‘Sweat Every Day in November Challenge’. If thousands of us stand together, we’ll speed up the progress of vital research – meaning more people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”