Donegal Teenager Shares His Journey Battling Rare Cancer

A 19-year-old from Greencastle, Donegal, has bravely shared his experience after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, hoping to inspire others facing similar health challenges. Joel Messenger, initially believing he was suffering from a persistent flu, sought medical advice after experiencing an unusual lack of energy.

During the winter of last year, Messenger’s fatigue raised concerns. “I wasn’t sick, but I had a severe lack of energy. Being 19 and having no energy sent alarm bells off in my head,” he explained. After multiple visits to his general practitioner, he was advised that flu was the likely cause of his symptoms. However, he remained unsettled when persistent bleeding from his gums was later ruled out as gum disease during a dental appointment.

Following a third visit to his GP, Messenger underwent a blood test that revealed the shocking diagnosis: Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), a rare blood cancer. “Hearing the word ‘cancer’ at the age of 19 was surreal,” he said. “The only way you can describe it is like the stuff you see in movies, you know, when they receive bad news and they get tunnel vision and go deaf.”

The gravity of the situation struck him when he realized that he was facing a life-altering illness. “Once the shock wore off, which took about 24 hours, a lot of emotion came with it, and I think I went through every stage of grief within five minutes,” he added.

Despite the challenges, Messenger has adopted a positive outlook on life. He described his cancer as chronic, indicating that his treatment will continue indefinitely. Nevertheless, he is currently “cancer-free” and remains hopeful. “As clichéd as it sounds, just keep your head up. I’m a firm believer that your mental state reflects your health,” he stated emphatically.

Messenger is sharing his story in advance of World CML Day, which takes place on September 22, 2023. This day aims to raise awareness about Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and the experiences of those affected by it. His message is clear: resilience and a positive mindset can make a significant difference in the face of adversity.

To follow his journey or learn more about Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, Messenger can be found on Instagram, where he shares updates and insights into his life and treatment.