'Dream big': Cancer survivor to study medicine

Harrison Sherwell underwent surgery and years of care at Sheffield Children's Hospital after being diagnosed with a brain tumour

A teenager says his own cancer ordeal has motivated him to pursue a career in medicine.

Harrison Sherwell was 10 when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma - a cancerous brain tumour - which required immediate surgery and follow-up care at Sheffield Children's Hospital.

He said staff had assured him and his family that "they had seen children in their care go on to do exciting things", which gave him the motivation to follow his dream.

The 19-year-old from Hull is about to start a medicine degree at the University of East Anglia after completing his A-Levels at Wyke Sixth Form College.

Harrison praised the "amazing standard of support" he received at Sheffield Children's Hospital

Mr Sherwell explained how he and his family had believed he had concussion when they first visited the hospital.

He said: “One day, one of my friends kicked a rugby ball high into the air. I jumped up to try and catch it and it hit my head.

"It was a bit confusing because I thought I was going to catch it, so I went to hospital thinking that I had a concussion. After a few visits, we found out it was a brain tumour.”

Mr Sherwell was placed under the care of consultant oncologist Vicki Lee.

She said: "Treatment for a medulloblastoma includes immediate major brain surgery followed by a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

"The treatment is really hard, but patients must go through it to reduce the risk of the tumour returning at a later date."

Mr Sherwell needed to attend regular check-ups throughout the remainder of his childhood.

He said: “Vicki was amazing in supporting me the whole way through my treatment, and even pointed me in the right direction in preparing for a career in medicine."

'Grateful for care'

In 2021, Mr Sherwell suffered a stroke, resulting in him losing feeling across the right side of his body. He needed to learn to walk again.

He said: “I knew the physiotherapy team well from my cancer treatment, so it was actually really nice to see them. I get on really well with them and I’m so grateful that their care meant that I could walk again.

"I would just really like to say a massive thank you to all of the staff."

Ms Lee said it was "amazing" to hear her patient had decided to pursue a career in medicine, adding: "I know how hard he has worked and wish him all the best as he heads to university.”

Sharing advice for others facing similar ordeals, Mr Sherwell said: "Dream big, and don’t let this type of experience hold you back and use it as inspiration."

Follow BBC East Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]