A Bedford teenager’s journey through cancer treatment has taken centre stage in a new national advertising and fundraising effort by Cancer Research UK.
Jake Salmon, an 18-year-old leukaemia patient, has become one of the faces of the charity’s inspiring ‘Together we are beating cancer’ campaign, where his story will unfold in a television advert to be broadcast nationwide this month.
The heartwarming advert captures real people, like Jake, who have been profoundly affected by cancer. It features him awaiting test results in a hospital corridor, anxiously hoping for positive news.
Thankfully, his results were what he was hoping for. Despite being only 14 months into a three-year treatment programme, Jake is gearing up to start university.
The campaign aims to highlight the impact of cancer breakthroughs on individuals like Jake and coincides with Cancer Research’s release of new data.
They’ve found that approximately 1.2 million cancer-related deaths in the UK have been prevented since the mid-1980s, which are attributed to advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Over the past four decades, cancer mortality rates in the UK have dropped by approximately 25%, with the peak occurring in 1985 for men and 1989 for women.
If these rates had remained unchanged, an estimated 114,000 more lives would have been lost in the East of England alone.
Jake Salmon himself, serves as living proof of the profound impact of cancer research. “The number of lives that have been saved in the region shows the immense power of research and I know this better than most.
“Until you become the 1 in 2 people who will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, you don’t fully appreciate the importance of research.
Now I realise how amazing all the work all the scientists, doctors and nurses are doing is, but we need more of it and that’s why I wanted to help raise awareness by appearing in the advert to encourage people to support their progress.
“As a result of my treatment being effective, I’m looking forward to heading off to Aberystwyth University later this month and my medical team has been amazing ensuring I’ll have access to my medicines and any medical support when I’m there.
“I’m proud to show that you can live with cancer and featuring in the Cancer Research UK advert was a great opportunity for me to turn something negative into something positive to help others like me.”
Jake’s cancer story
Jake first noticed symptoms while playing rugby last summer. “I found I was feeling really fatigued really early on in the game and had been getting out of breath just going up the stairs. I was bruising easily and began to look really pale.
“My parents were worried too so I went to the GP and they sent me to A & E where they did lots of tests.
“I thought it was likely to be an iron deficiency and had no idea it could be something as serious as cancer. But they told me that day that I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
“It came as such a shock and I was frightened at first, but I spoke to my Dad and tried to make sure I stayed ok mentally. Telling friends was difficult too but they’ve all been so supportive.”
Instead of preparing for the final year of his A-level studies, Jake found himself in the hospital undergoing blood transfusions and beginning an intensive period of treatment.
The primary treatment for ALL is chemotherapy, and Jake has been receiving drugs like cyclophosphamide, which were developed with the contribution of Cancer Research UK’s researchers.
“I stayed in hospital for about a month. At the start, I felt ok because the blood transfusions helped me feel fresher. Initially, I didn’t have any side effects and I went into remission quite quickly,” added Jake.
“But as it went on, it got harder and I began to feel the effects. I experienced some severe stomach pains one time and was rushed to A&E. I had pancreatitis and was in hospital for 10 days, some of it on the intensive care unit.
“At that point, I couldn’t focus on my studies. I knew they would be quite disrupted but it was my A-level year, so I went into college whenever I could.
“I’ve now finished the intensive phase of my treatment and am now on maintenance which still involves chemotherapy, but it’s much more manageable.
“My treatment will continue until 2026 but it’s going well and I feel 90% back to normal and am able to enjoy life like I did before, as well as fulfilling my dream of studying politics at university.
Jake says he knows, even though survival rates have increased, that he’s one of the lucky ones.
“Sadly, not everyone diagnosed with cancer will reach key milestones – and that’s why the charity’s work is so vital. I wouldn’t be here without the scientists who strive to find new ways to outsmart cancer and the incredible fundraisers who make it all possible.
“So, now I’m determined to do what I can to show my support. I hope I can inspire people across Bedford to do the same. They could help bring hope and joy to more families like mine.”
Local support
In the past year, Cancer Research UK has invested nearly £51 million in research in the East of England, focusing on new approaches to cancer prevention, screening, and treatment.
The charity’s Cambridge Institute and Cambridge Centre play a vital role in translating laboratory discoveries into tangible benefits for cancer patients.
Elisa Mitchell, a spokesperson for Cancer Research UK in the East of England, emphasized the importance of local support. She said, “Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, together, we are beating cancer.
“Our research breakthroughs mean every day, people are being diagnosed earlier, have access to kinder and more effective treatments, and some cancers are prevented completely.”
Mitchell added, “But around 38,400 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in the East of England.
“We’re working towards a world where everyone can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer and that’s why we’re calling on people across Bedfordshire to help us go further and faster in the fight against the disease.
“That’s why we’re calling on people across Bedfordshire to help us go further and faster in the fight against the disease.”
Bedfordians are encouraged to donate to Cancer Research UK at cruk.org/donate. People are also invited to share their personal cancer journeys or those of loved ones through a dedicated photo wall and on social media by using the hashtag #MoreMoments.
