FRIENDS and family have rallied behind a borough mum who has shared the news that she has won a battle with cancer.

Danielle Dawson, 32, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma stage 4 after she went for a medical check.

The single mum of two children under three told Thurrock Nub News: "I went to the doctors after finding a lump in my neck that had grown significantly in size two weeks after noticing it.

"My treatment was at University College London Hospital - where I was referred by Basildon Hospital - after my doctor there, Dr Shankari, ran furthers tests and found heart failure. Before beginning chemotherapy they had to make changes to the type of chemo I was to receive in order to prevent further damage.

"I caught sepsis twice throughout chemo along with Covid. I had four blood transfusions.

Danielle battled through all her problems and the treatement and has now reported she is in remission and she has taken to social media to express her thanks to those who helped with the treatment and all her family and friends in the Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham communities and beyond.

She has spoken of the impact that being diagnosed brought to her life and how much ther support of those close to her has helped.

Danielle and her children.

Danielle says: "The chemo has been hard, it's changed me as a person, not just my body and what you can see, but me! Who I am and who I think I am!

"The fear and the disease will never leave me, but I can finally start living my new life!

"I want to thank my mum for having my babies throughout my treatment up putting up with my mood swings, day-to-day misery and ultimately being my best friend.

"Thank you to my dad for coming with me to my appointments, coaching me through my sessions and always making me laugh.

"And my nearest and dearest friends.

Danielle Dawson has braved the battle against cancer.

"All the comments and messages throughout my journey with this have meant more than you know.

"I know I have a way to go, but this is a huge moment for me and I want to thank everyone and take this moment to enjoy being able to say….'I'm in remission'!"

The support of family and friends continues and one friend, Faye Kelleher, has embarked on a fundraiser as her way of saying thank-you to all those who supported Danielle.

On Saturday, 30 March Faye has set up a 'Walk of Light' for Blood Cancer UK, saying "It's in honour of my warrior friend."

You can find out more about 'Walk of Light' via this link.

Faye adds: "You can run or walk for Danielle or for your own relationship to someone with any form of blood cancers as there are many - Leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, myeloma etc. All proceeds will go to Blood Cancer UK to fund support and research so that less people have to go through what Danielle and her family have had to go through.

"Hodgkin's Lymphoma develops in around 2,000 people each year in the UK and the support and help of research like that of Blood Cancer UK can save a life!

"Let's get together, run or walk the 3K in our very own individual Walk of Light."