A FOOD retail manager knew she was seriously ill when she was sweating while standing in a freezer at work - but it took doctors more than a year to diagnose cancer.

Jane Hastings said: "I was so ill last Christmas I could barely breathe and my neck was so swollen I couldn't move it. It was actually my boss that kept telling me to go back to the doctor."

The 23-year-old suffered from colds that would not clear up in 2006. Last year she had swollen and painful glands in her neck and could barely breathe, and this January she was diagnosed with lymphoma. Because of the late diagnosis the cancer has progressed to Stage 4.

Jane, from Bridlington, was told by her specialists at Leicester Royal Infirmary the lymphoma had spread throughout her body and had caused irreparable damage.

She has spent the last six months having chemotherapy every two weeks - after each bout she is bedridden for almost a week.

She said: "I'm terrified of having to have more aggressive chemo - I throw up before I go to hospital through fear and anxiety."

But last week she and boyfriend Richard enjoyed a week's holiday in Bournemouth at the Youth Cancer Trust.

The charity provides free breaks for people aged 14 to 30 from all over the UK, who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Jane decided to come against the advice of her specialist nurses.

She said: "They were against the idea as they were worried it would be too much for me.

"I said, Wouldn't you want to come on a beautiful holiday, if you had no assurances or promises for the future? Wouldn't you want to get away by the sea?' "I love the sea and I wanted to spend time with Richard away from hospital.

"I've been cooped up in my bedroom and in hospital so much over the past six months it made such a lovely change.

"I thought the YCT looked like somewhere I could go with Richard where I'd meet people like me. You get stared at when you have cancer and here no one stares at you.

"Recently a woman literally turned her back to me in the doctor's waiting room rather than face my cancer.

"Everyone understands at YCT without even saying anything. It's not like you talk about cancer all the time but if you do everyone empathises.

"Whatever cancer you have you share a similar experience and it unites you as a group.

"As soon as I walked inside Tracy Ann House I felt totally comfortable. I loved it immediately. It's like a family home not like a hotel, really friendly.

"It provides a good chance to escape from pressures at home and to have some fun with Richard."

Jane's father has been made redundant this year and her mother has been the only one earning.

"My parents have been amazing but it's been really hard for them not only with me being ill but also financially.

"I have to have the heating on full blast as I'm always cold, especially after I've had a dose of chemotherapy."

She said: "We can relax here because there are medical teams close by. It's great you can bring someone with you as it gives you a chance to rekindle relationships and get away from cancer for a while."

Jane is backing the Daily Echo's campaign to raise money for the YCT.

She said: "I know that the Daily Echo is running an appeal to raise money.

"But I also hope that if there are any young people with cancer reading this who are thinking about a YCT holiday, I just want to say, don't worry if you're shy. There really is nothing to worry about here. Push yourself to come, it will be worth it!

"The option to be able to come back for another holiday is great. People like me can have the opportunity to come back and do things they couldn't do the first time due to being too ill. I couldn't do the water sports but I could next time if I'm well enough. It's also something to look forward to."

  • THE Youth Cancer Trust, based at Alum Chine, provides free breaks for teenagers and young adults aged between 14 and 30 from anywhere in the UK and Irish Republic.

The Daily Echo has launched a campaign to help raise £250,000 so the YCT can continue to develop its vital work.

The need is more pressing than ever.

The £250,000 project will provide more accommodation, a larger games room with better facilities and more car parking. The trust also needs a larger, specially adapted minibus.

To donate, please send cheques payable to Youth Cancer Trust Appeal 2008 to YCT, Tracy Ann House, 5, Studland Road, BH4 8HZ or call 01202 763591.