Teenager Shares Cancer Journey at Hospital Gala
Abigail Jacobs, a leukaemia survivor, spoke about her 'adventure' at West Herts Hospitals' Charity event.
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From the archive. This story was written up on 29 July 2026 from reporting first published on 2 February 2026, which is the date shown above. We took up the back catalogue of the local titles we read when this site launched, so the events are older than the page.
Abigail Jacobs, a 17-year-old from Barnet, has spoken about her experience with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the 30th anniversary gala dinner for West Herts Hospitals’ Charity. Diagnosed with the condition in January 2021, Abigail underwent two-and-a-half years of intensive chemotherapy treatment. She has now been free of leukaemia for the same duration.
Facing the Diagnosis
Abigail was 12 years old when she began experiencing symptoms including lethargy, leg cramps, and swollen lymph nodes towards the end of 2020. After initial misdiagnoses, urgent tests confirmed a serious health issue. On January 7, 2021, she received her official diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The following day, she was admitted to University College London Hospital (UCLH) to commence treatment. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, her initial month of treatment was isolating, with limited contact with her family.
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Recounting her experience, Abigail described the challenges of treatment, including the side effects of chemotherapy and steroid medication, which caused significant mood swings and extreme hunger. She recalled telling her parents she wanted to stop treatment, but they encouraged her to continue. Her mother, Lara, supported her throughout, describing the treatment period as an 'adventure' they would navigate together.
“I wouldn’t change it because it’s made me into the person I am today. I don’t think I’d be as confident, as considerate if I didn’t go through the experiences I went through.”
Abigail Jacobs, Leukaemia Survivor
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Abigail completed her final chemotherapy tablet on April 9, 2023, and has since been in remission. Speaking at the West Herts Hospitals’ Charity gala, she shared her perspective on the illness, stating that while it was a difficult time, it also presented opportunities and led her to meet many supportive people. She is now supporting the organisation's 'Caring for Generations' appeal, which aims to fund new equipment and improve healing environments in hospitals. Abigail highlighted the importance of giving a voice to friends she lost during her treatment who did not survive.
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