Plucky diarist beats cancer (From Halesowen News)

Plucky diarist beats cancer

10:50am Tuesday 15th April 2008

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A brave 26-year-old who kept an internet diary during her fight with a rare form of bone cancer is battling back after going into remission.

Hannah Millington, the girlfriend of ex-Halas Hawks player Gareth Hickman, was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in February 2006 after she had suffered constant pain, swelling and deformity in her right knee.

After enduring several rounds of chemotherapy and an operation to replace her knee-joint and fit a metal plate in her thigh, the inspirational police officer is now cancer-free and recently returned to work part time.

Hannah said: "I am obviously delighted the cancer is gone.

"I still have to have check-ups every three months which are nerve-wracking and I was nervous about returning to work.

"It has been a rollercoaster year, I have had good days and bad days - I am definitely a different person now to how I was then. Obviously I would prefer never to have had cancer but I have met some fantastic people and it has given me a greater appreciation of life."

Hannah hit the headlines after keeping the online diary which gave an honest and frank account of how her treatment was progressing.

She admitted the diary received an "amazing" response and led to her receiving emails of support from people all over the world.

Hannah said: "It definitely helped me through it, helping me get the feelings out.

"I have not read it back yet as it is all a bit raw but I am glad it will be there to remind me of what happened. I never used to think that other people were reading it."

Hannah had also become involved in raising money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust.

Her brother Joe and friend Dan will next month embark on a 3,500-mile cycle ride across the USA in the hope of raising £20,000 for the charity.

Hannah added: "It is one almighty mission they have set themselves and any donations, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. The NHS and larger cancer charities do not provide extensive research funding into primary bone cancer - something I was shocked to hear.

"That has spurred me to support Bone Cancer Research Trust."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Joe and Dan can do so at www.justgiving.com/bikingforbonecancer.

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