Derby Mum tells her story in national TV advert for Young Lives vs Cancer

Two-year-old Nancy Dakin, a cancer patient from Derby, and her Mum, Gemma feature in a new advert, airing on national TV from Monday 12 May. The advert is raising money for Young Lives vs Cancer, the leading UK charity for children and young people with cancer and their families. Nancy and her family were supported by the charity when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2023.  

The new TV advert, created with DTV, follows Nancy’s story of being diagnosed at just one year old and how their Young Lives vs Cancer Specialist Social Worker Kim, who also features in the advert, supported her family throughout treatment. 

From the moment of diagnosis, Young Lives vs Cancer’s specialist social workers provide day-to-day support for each child, young person and family. From providing financial grants and help with accessing benefits to practical support like liaising with employers and schools, Young Lives vs Cancer Specialist Social Workers help families get the support they need, when they need it. 

In October 2023, Nancy started being sick for apparently no reason and then began to experience tremors. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour at just one year old and had to have two surgeries, followed by high dose chemotherapy treatment to prevent the cancer coming back. Nancy’s mum Gemma wasn’t able to work during the treatment so the family lived on one wage while facing extra costs during stays in hospital. After brain surgery, Nancy had to go through several milestones for the second time, including learning to crawl again.   

Nancy and Gemma’s Young Lives vs Cancer specialist social worker Kim provided the family with a grant at the start of treatment which helped with the extra costs and has been a source of emotional support throughout Nancy’s treatment.  

Gemma said “Young Lives vs Cancer gave us a grant when we first got Nancy’s diagnosis, and that really helped as neither me or Nancy’s dad were able to work. 

 “They are always on and off the ward coming to have a chat to make sure we’re okay and have everything we need. They really do make a difference.  

 “I honestly can’t think of what it would be like without Young Lives vs Cancer. The more donations the advert brings in the better as it’s our way of saying thank you to the charity for all the support they’ve given us while Nancys been poorly and continue to give us now.” 

Sue Collins, Director of Income Generation said “Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years.  

“Young Lives vs Cancer relies on charitable donations to fund their vital work supporting children and young people facing cancer and their families across the UK, like Nancy’s. We want to thank Nancy, Gemma and rest of the family for sharing their experience in our new advert so we can continue to help other families like theirs.”