Patient stories

Kaiya Patel was five years old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in March 2018. She passed away ten months later at the age of six. Since then, Kaiya’s mum Annu and her dad Ruchit, have set up The Kaiya Foundation in their daughter’s memory and are supporting our vital research into high-risk leukaemia. Here, Annu shares their story.

Rhonda Ryan, 57, was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer in 2019. Two years later, she was told her cancer had spread to her liver and was incurable. An experienced investment professional, Rhonda is now calling on her industry contacts to support our vital research, hoping to raise £1.8m over six years and make a real difference for the next generation of cancer patients.

Peter Laing was diagnosed in November 2024, with stage 2/3b high-risk prostate cancer. Now retired, his former career in the biotech industry has helped to inform decisions about his treatment, which has included abiraterone, a drug that was discovered and developed by our scientists. Over a year on from his diagnosis, he reflects on what he describes as a ‘rollercoaster journey’.

Giles Turner, 65, was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in March 2023. Following treatment – including private treatment with the drug abiraterone – he is now in remission. He has since been campaigning to have abiraterone, which was discovered and developed by the ICR, made available on the NHS in England and Northern Ireland, in line with existing policy in Scotland and Wales.

In April 2019, I went on a journey - not one I expected to go on or even particularly wanted to go on, despite being an enthusiastic traveller. But in life we are often taken down unexpected paths.

Chris Talabi, 70, of Bray, Berkshire was diagnosed in 2014 with advanced prostate cancer.

Sue’s husband, Philip, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005 and died on Christmas Day 2009, aged 57. 16 years on, she reflects on the legacy he left behind.

Richard Ware, 56, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in 2022. Last December, he was told that it had spread to his brain. Following his diagnosis, Richard found out that he carries the BRCA2 gene mutation and for the past 10 months he has been treated with olaparib, the development of which was underpinned by research at the ICR.