What started as a seemingly minor complaint about a sore leg turned into a life-altering journey for East London’s Farihah, who was just four years old when she first showed signs of a serious illness.
Now 18, Farihah looks back on a childhood marked by strength and resilience after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, in October 2011.
“At first, my mum thought I was trying to get out of going to school,” she shared. “But I genuinely couldn’t walk—it hurt too much.”
Prior to the leg pain, Farihah had suffered from other concerning symptoms, including unusual skin wounds and frequent, heavy nosebleeds. Her family initially sought help from their local GP, and after undergoing a series of tests, they received devastating news: Farihah had cancer.
“I was outside with my uncle while they told my family,” she recalled. “I could see how heartbroken they were.”
While too young to fully grasp what was happening, Farihah said she felt a strange sense of comfort knowing there was finally a diagnosis—and a path toward healing.
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She began a two-year chemotherapy regimen shortly after her diagnosis. The treatment was physically and emotionally taxing—she lost her hair three times and struggled with mobility during the process.
“It was tough, but I always tried to stay positive,” she said.
In 2013, her grueling treatment came to an end. When Farihah walked into the hospital for her final session, she was welcomed with a celebratory banner bearing her name—a moment she and her family will never forget.
Though more than a decade has passed, Farihah says the support she received from Great Ormond Street Hospital still holds a special place in her heart.
“The care there was incredible. I’ll always be grateful to the doctors and nurses who looked after me.”
Now cancer-free, Farihah is focused on her future. She is currently preparing for her A-Level exams and hopes to study film at university—an ambition that reflects her desire to tell powerful stories, including perhaps one day her own.
“I want to create films that resonate with people. Going through what I did as a child taught me the value of empathy and hope,” she said.
Farihah’s journey is one of triumph over adversity—a reminder that even the most difficult beginnings can lead to inspiring futures.
