Suffolk teenager to perform at CarFest 2023 and represent Teenage Cancer Trust after battling Hodgkin Lymphoma
A Suffolk teenager has been chosen as one of the faces behind a family festival’s campaign and will perform at the event after being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Chloe, 19, is one of nine people representing the eight charity partners that are directly helped by CarFest and its Do More Good campaign which, since its launch in 2012, has raised over £24 million for its charity partners.
A talented musician, Chloe represents Teenage Cancer Trust and will also take to the stage at the festival.
She was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in July 2020 aged just 16. She had chemotherapy from August to November of that year and was helped by Teenage Cancer Trust at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Chloe said: “I was with my mum when they told me I had Hodgkin lymphoma. I was only 16 and didn’t know much about different types of cancer. I felt more relieved when they told me there was a high success rate for treating it.
“After the diagnosis, things started to move more quickly. I was referred to the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and I went to look around before starting my chemotherapy. The staff were reassuring, and kind and I saw other young people around my age,” she added.
Chloe, who is now part of a 3-Piece Alt/Indie Rock Band called Pearll. wrote an album which summed up the year while in lockdown, after her cancer diagnosis showed her the value of life and to make the most of every opportunity.
She said: “I was in year 11 doing my GCSEs when the country went into lockdown. Both of my parents are music teachers and I’ve always had a passion for music, so I decided to use the time to write, record and produce some music.
“I’d played the guitar since I was ten, but I’d never had the confidence to make my own music because I didn’t think it would be good enough. With all the spare time on my hands, I thought it was the perfect time to try."
Every day, seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words “you have cancer” and the money that CarFest raises for Teenage Cancer Trust will help other children and young people like Chloe.
Chloe said: “Because of lockdown, I wasn’t sure if my treatment would be affected, but luckily I started a week after my diagnosis. As I’m under 18, I was able to have a parent with me during my treatment. This really helped me as I wouldn’t have wanted to be by myself for five hours while receiving treatment; I would have been left with my thoughts too much.
“I think young people need someone with them to talk about normal life as it takes you away from what’s happening to you.”
CarFest 2023 is taking place from August 25 to 27 at Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire.
McFly, Craig David and Texas are some of the musical headliners, while celebrities such as Anton Du Beke, Jimmy Carr and Russell Brand will also take to the stages.
