A TEENAGE cancer survivor has become the poster boy of his local fundraising group in its bid to raise cash for young people suffering with the disease.

Teesdale Cancer Research UK, which has been fundraising for 42 years, has decided this year to extend its reach by also raising money for research into cancers affecting children, teenagers and young adults.

Curtis Swift, from Richmond, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when he was just 13 after he started experiencing pains in his neck. Mr Swift, now 20, is helping the branch in its quest to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK Kids and Teen by proving what can be achieved by the charity.

Previously all money raised by the group went to fund the work of Professor Stephen Wedge, and recently retired Professor Herbie Newall, at the Newcastle Cancer Centre – but it will now also support the charity’s research into finding cures and kinder treatments for children and young adults facing cancer in the North-East.

Mr Swift, who was in Year 8 at Richmond School at the time, said: “I’d been playing rugby when I felt a pain in my neck. As my mum rubbed gel into it she discovered a lump. “Following a visit to our emergency doctor it was thought I may have glandular fever. After two very painful days and further blood tests I was sent to the RVI in Newcastle.”

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system.

He added: “I was quite young to have this type of cancer as it’s usually found in older teenagers. I went on to have four months of chemotherapy and two weeks of radiotherapy.” His treatment was successful, he beat the disease and is now studying medicinal chemistry at the University of Newcastle.

Janet Leafe, fundraising manager for Teesdale and Richmond, said: “Curtis is a great example of what massive progress we’ve made in tackling children’s cancers.

“While more youngsters are surviving cancer than ever before, the disease is the leading cause of death in under 25s in the UK, taking the lives of around 520 young people each year.”

Visit www.cruk.org.

For more information about the Cancer Research UK Teesdale team call Pam Ashmore on 01833-638652 or Brenda Thwaites on 01833-650215.