Alice’s story
From Diagnosis to Purpose
Read how cancer led Alice to her dream career…
In 2022, my life changed overnight when I heard the words, “You’ve got cancer.”
At just 33 years old, while working full-time as a secondary school maths teacher, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after finding a lump on my neck. It wasn’t something I ever expected, and in that moment, everything shifted.
As a teacher, I was working 50-60 hour weeks and had no work-life balance to speak of. My cancer diagnosis made me realise I needed to slow down and reassess my priorities – life is not just about work. The forced break during treatment gave me the chance to reflect on my life and the balance I wanted moving forward.
Now, I had the opportunity to turn that dream into a reality.
I finished radiotherapy in August 2022, and by Sept 2022, I had officially launched my tutoring business.
Within just two months, I handed in my notice at school and began tutoring full-time.
During this time, one of my amazing friends, Eniz, bought me an iPad so I would have something to entertain me during chemo sessions. I took it with me to every session and, rather than simply pass the time, I used it to start building my tutoring business and website.
I had always dreamed of tutoring full-time but never had the time or energy to pursue it. I had always worried about the risk of failure and what it might mean to leave my stable job, but one thing cancer made me realise is that you will only ever regret the things you didn’t try.
Turning Adversity into Opportunity
What started as a way to regain control of my life after cancer quickly grew into something much bigger. My business has grown from strength to strength, and today I lead a dedicated team of maths tutors supporting students across the UK.
I can honestly say that without my cancer diagnosis, I likely would not have had the courage to take the leap into tutoring full-time.
Giving Back to Those Who Gave to Me
I will never forget the kindness and support I received at MKUH’s Cancer Centre. Every nurse, doctor, and member of staff played a role in making a tricky time feel just a little easier.
That’s why, each Christmas, I run a GCSE Maths Revision Programme, with 100% of the fees donated to MKUH’s Cancer Centre.
In 2024, we raised £855, surpassing the previous year by over £200. To make the contribution even more meaningful, my incredible mum added a generous £500, bringing the total donation to £1,355.
Why Giving Back Matters
For me, it’s donating to the incredible teams who supported me, and giving them the resources to help others who are going through what I went through. For others, it might be something different. But I truly believe that even life’s hardest challenges can lead to meaningful opportunities.
For me, giving back is about remembering why I get to do what I do now. Every time I reflect on my journey, I ask myself: How can I use what I’ve built to help others?
If there’s one thing I’d share about MKUH’s Cancer Centre, it’s this: it’s not just a hospital – it’s a place filled with compassion, warmth, and hope. The work they do changes lives, and I’m so proud to support them.
Alice
