Brighton man speaks of shock cancer diagnosis at university

Jim Spence, 26, said while studying economics at the University of Bristol in May 2018, he had a swollen lymph node in his neck.

Jim, from Preston Park in Brighton, said doctors initially thought he had a shoulder injury but he was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Now, almost six years on from his diagnosis, the 26-year-oldhas taken part in a charity football match which raised more than £1,000 for charity Young Lives vs Cancer.

Jim Spence, left, just after his last round of chemotherapy. Pictured with his brother Harry (Image: Supplied)

“I was quite literally at lectures and at a party on the Friday night,” said Jim. “By the Tuesday I was undergoing chemotherapy. It was completely surreal and a shock.

“I had flu-like symptoms. I was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and underwent an intensive chemotherapy regime, deferring my studies for two years and spending most of my time living on a hospital ward.

“During this difficult time, Young Lives vs Cancer provided crucial support for both myself and my family and did everything in their power to help us feel comfortable and reassured. The journey back to full health was difficult.”

Jim is part of an organisation called Football For All which is said to be Brighton’s longest running casual community club. More than 150 members play three times a week.

Jim Spence, right, with Football For All chairman Paul Clark at the Withdean (Image: Supplied)

More than 50 players came together last Friday to play in and watch the football match which was at Albion’s old ground the Withdean Stadium.

The game finished 1-1.

Brighton fan Jim joined Young Lives vs Cancer in June 2022 as a project manager which he said was a particularly proud moment for him.

He said: “I have been passionately committed to engaging and working alongside service users like myself and I have made it my life's mission to drive meaningful, long-term change to improve the future for all children and young people diagnosed with cancer.”

The players before the match on April 19 (Image: Supplied)

Paul Clark, 52, Football For All’s Chairman said: “We are a football team but more importantly we represent a community of Brighton men.

"When one of our own needs help, we are there for them and that’s what makes us so strong. Jim is one of our younger players and a remarkable example of what it looks like to fight cancer and rebuild a healthy life. It was an honour to help him and his charity”.

For more information, contact jim.spence@younglivesvscancer.org.uk.