A student from Hyde is one of five patients starring in this year's 'highlights of the year' video produced by The Christie cancer centre in Manchester.

The video, which you can watch at the top of the page, celebrates the life-changing work that has taken place in the last 12 months at The Christie.

Valentina Sivori, 21, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in her neck, armpit and chest in September last year.

Following her diagnosis, Valentina was immediately referred to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, a specialist cancer hospital in Manchester, to begin months of chemotherapy treatment.

Fortunately the treatment proved successful and Valentina is now looking forward to resuming her history studies at York University next month after spending the last few months recuperating.

Valentina, who lives in Hyde with her parents, sister and puppy Pablo, was approached to star alongside TV and radio presenter Mark Radcliffe, also a patient at The Christie, to host the film, which celebrates recent successes and reflects on how care has been adapted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Valentina said: “I was incredibly honoured to be asked to share my story as a Christie patient. My diagnosis last year was a huge shock as I didn’t have any of the usual symptoms of lymphoma, but I was referred to The Christie and I immediately knew I was in safe hands.

"I had to attend most of my appointments on my own because of the pandemic, which was frightening, but the nurses and doctors were so caring and reassuring, I immediately felt better and I knew there was a plan to help me.

"Treatment was difficult but it was such a relief to know it worked and I’ve been trying to get my life back to normal over the last few months and I can’t wait to get back to university. Completing the video alongside Mark was a real honour, great fun and a memorable way of reflecting on everything that has happened to me over this last year." 

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