Teens Unite Fighting Cancer - a Global's Make Some Noise-supported charity

7 October 2015, 11:35 | Updated: 7 October 2015, 11:55

Global’s Make Some Noise is proud to support the work of Teens Unite – a charity dedicated to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer.

Every day in the UK, seven teenagers will hear the words ‘you have cancer’. Teens Unite was founded in 2007 to bring young people and their families together and support them in the darkest of times.

How Global's Make Some Noise helps Teens Unite:

How Teens Unite helped Matt fight cancer

Matt was aged 19 when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia - a cancer of the white blood cells that affects the immune system. 

It was after visiting his GP, concerned about some bruising on his foot, that Matt was referred for a blood test "just to check that everything was alright". The following day, he was asked to visit the hospital, and it was then he was told he had cancer. 

Matt told us: "I never expected it. I didn’t realise people my age got cancer like this - it was probably the worst day of my life."

Following his diagnosis, Matt began a gruelling nine-month course of intensive chemotherapy, followed by an additional two-and-a-half years of maintenance chemotherapy, which he is now coming towards the end of. He told us how life during his treatment has been easier than he expected, thanks to his friends and family, and the amazing support of Teens Unite: 

"I’ve met so many amazing people and made so many great friends through having cancer. It’s completely changed my outlook on life. It’s given me direction to go out and help people - and to make the most of every opportunity I’m given."

Matt’s first experience with the charity was through their week-long summer activity holiday, where teens from across the UK can experience the support of Teens Unite and meet others who share their condition. 

He told us: “The best thing about Teens Unite is that it’s completely different to any other charity. They’re fully focused on everyone just enjoying themselves, and getting fully involved and having the best time.”

As his treatment comes to an end, Matt can start focusing on the future. He will start university soon, and hopes to one day help children going through difficult experiences, just like his:

“I don’t just want to go along with life, but try and be the best person I can be.”

Find out more about the brilliant work of Teens Unite at their website.

Global’s Make Some Noise is a national charity that helps to change young lives, brought to you by eight of the best-loved commercial radio stations in the UK: Heart, Capital, Capital XTRA, Classic FM, Smooth, LBC, Radio X and Gold.