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30 Mar 2026

'Hearing the words you have cancer at 21 is something you can never truly prepare for'

Lana Nolan from Dublin has had her life flipped upside down after hearing the shocking news that she has stage four cancer after an emergency appendix removal

'Hearing the words you have cancer at 21 is something you can never truly prepare for'

GoFundMe/ Lana Nolan

Reporter:

Rachel Kavanagh

30 Mar 2026 7:10 PM

At just 21-years-old, Lana Nolan from Dublin received the shocking and devastating news that she has stage four cancer after going to hospital for an appendix removal.
The young woman has shared her story via GoFundMe to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
She said: "Hearing the words 'you have cancer' at 21 is something you can never truly prepare for. At that age, you don’t think it can happen to you… until it does.
"I went into hospital to get emergency surgery to get my appendix removed, during surgery they found a stage 4 tumor.
"We later found out it had spread to my bowel resulting in me getting more surgery to remove part of my small intestine and colon.
"Two surgeries, months of recovery, and 14 weeks out of football total, it still doesn’t always feel real. And with years of monitoring still ahead of me, it’s a journey that isn’t over yet".
The young woman said that cancer doesn’t just change your life, it impacts everyone around you.
"I never truly understood the meaning of “it takes a village” until I needed mine. The love, support, and strength from everyone around me, I will always be grateful.
"Even with a positive mindset, it was petrifying, the waiting, the uncertainty, the fear of what comes next. Being strong doesn’t mean you aren’t scared, it means you keep going despite it.
"I’ve signed up for the Dublin Half Marathon and have decided to still attempt it. I won’t be running for a PB, I’ll be running to prove to myself that I can. Cancer affects every person’s life, either directly or indirectly.
"I’m raising money to benefit Irish Cancer Society, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me".
So far, Lana's GoFundMe has raised a whopping €9,811 for Irish Cancer Society in less than two weeks.
Lana added that the Irish Cancer Society "are a community of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, health and social care professionals and researchers. Together we are transforming the experiences and outcomes of people affected by cancer through our advocacy, support services and research".
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