Diagnosed with cancer at 14, doctor Dan now helps others

LIFE-SAVING TEAM INSPIRED CAREER CHOICE

- By SAM VOLPE

A CRAMLINGTON-BORN man who survived leukaemia as a teenager is now a fully-qualified doctor -and has achieved a dream he has had since he was ill.

Dr Dan Mattison, 25, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at 14.

He had just started studying for his GCSEs with top results - followed by his A-Levels, which he also aced. Now, he's working as a doctor in Manchester.

Speaking about a multi-million pound investment from Cancer Research UK, Dan has welcomed what is a £4.1m funding boost for Newcastle University's research efforts. The university just happens to be where Dan's mum Angela works.

The cash will go towards exploring how children with the cancer Dan had can be diagnosed and treated more effectively to improve survival rates.

Remembering his own experience, Dan said: "It's all a bit of a blur looking back now, I remember being shocked when I was diagnosed, but also remember feeling unwell for a while before then.

"My treatment was tough, but I was lucky to be under the care of a fantastic team, whose compassion and positive attitudes ultimately inspired me to become a doctor.

"They created such a kind, caring and cheerful environment, and all had such passion for their work, things I realised I wanted in whatever career I chose.

"I learned so much from them both from a personal and professional point of view, and I always aim to provide the same qualities to patients of my own.