Hassan’s story

After seeing Luton Town play at Wembley, Hassan developed a persistent cough. Despite several visits to the doctor and courses of antibiotics and steroids, it kept returning. When his parents found him blue in the face, he was taken to hospital. Tests suggested blood cancer, and doctors said treatment needed to begin immediately.

Hassan stopped university and spent much of his time in hospital receiving chemotherapy. During treatment, he and his sister Sadia were supported by Mikela, a Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker.

Sadia says Mikela quickly became someone Hassan trusted. “You can speak to your family members, but sometimes it gets hard for them to hear things like, ‘I don’t want to do this anymore,’ because you want them to continue and keep fighting.”

“With Mikela, Hassan could speak openly. He was very private, but she made him feel comfortable. They had a bond where they could talk confidentially.”

Mikela also helped the family access practical support, including grants for food and travel, and items that gave Hassan a welcome distraction in hospital.

“We didn’t really love hospital food, and eating the same things became too much,” Sadia says. “Mikela knew a charity that could fund food, and we had the money by the end of the week. Her knowledge helped us so much.”

Travel grants helped with journeys between hospital and home, while a games console passed the long hours. Hassan also chose a football trip with friends as his Make-A-Wish. Although he sadly could not go, Sadia says having it planned gave him something to look forward to.

Mikela’s visits supported Sadia too. “You’re stuck within four walls, watching the same things on TV with chemotherapy running into your arm,” she says. “Mikela was a breath of fresh air. Hassan got a chance to speak to her, and I got 15 minutes to leave the room and get some fresh air.”

Hassan’s treatment was not working and he was due to begin radiotherapy. Sadly, he died aged 20, just days before it was due to start.

Mikela has continued to keep in touch with Sadia since Hassan’s death. “As a family, we’ve gone through the pain of losing someone and seeing the person you love deteriorate,” Sadia says. “The support we had, especially from Mikela, helped a lot. I still have that connection with Mikela and Young Lives vs Cancer.”