A CANCER survivor is issuing a call to arms for people in Bolton to stand up to the disease.

In January this year, Leah Kemp, a 29-year-old, a special educational needs teacher from Halliwell, began getting chest-pains.

She initially put the issue down to her New Year's resolution exercise regime, but when her symptoms had not improved a month later, Ms Kemp was persuaded to go to A&E by her mum.

Doctors at first thought she had a chest infection, but after being sent for an x-ray, Ms Kemp was found to have an 11cm mass on her chest and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

She said: "They told me it was lymphoma and although I didn’t know what that was I could tell from everyone else’s looks it was serious.

“My mum was with me ­— she works as a nurse in A&E ­— and she told me it was a type of cancer. I was shocked.

“When you hear the word cancer you fear for the worst. You don’t hear the success stories.”

Ms Kemp started chemotherapy on her 29th birthday in March, undergoing six cycles three weeks apart over 18 weeks.

She was also treated with the targeted drug rituximab, developed with help from Cancer Research UK, and is now beginning radiotherapy at The Christie in Manchester.

Ms Kemp said: "I believe that behind every negative is a positive. But some days are hard. My friends and family have been amazing and really got me through.

"I was too ill to go out and celebrate my 29th birthday party so my friends all came to my house for a pyjama party and we played silly games. It was great – just what I needed.

"Whenever I’ve been feeling tired and drained after the chemo I have been and stayed at my mum’s.”

Ms Kemp is now posing with five wristbands ­— highlighting the number of people diagnosed with cancer every hour in the North West ­— to encourage people to support Cancer Research UK and Channel 4's fundraising and comedy event Stand Up to Cancer.

She said: “Cancer has changed my outlook on everything. I used to get worked up easily by little things but now I know there is more to life than worrying about being stuck in traffic.

"I went from being a 28-year-old enjoying life to not recognising the girl in the mirror.

“In a blink of an eye life can change. Before this journey I liked a good moan now I like to see the good in everything. I appreciate every minute is beautiful and don’t let little things in life get me down.

“I’ve been through so much but I’m still standing and that’s thanks to research to find more treatments. I’m not ready to leave this gorgeous world yet.

“That’s why I’m giving my heartfelt support to Stand Up To Cancer."

Ms Kemp is encouraging people to take a stand, request a free fundraising pack, and add to the £38 million raised by Stand Up to Cancer since 2012.

Ms Kemp said:“Raising vital funds for life-saving research is a great chance to get payback on cancer. Everyone knows loved ones who’ve been affected.

"Whether you donate, get sponsored to wear orange from head to toe or organise your own bake sale, there are lots of ways to get involved.

"I really hope as many people as possible will get behind this vitally important campaign because together, we can wipe the floor with cancer.”

Stand Up to Cancer culminates in a night of live TV on October 26.

To get involved visit standuptocancer.org.uk.