Danika Hill has been the first person to pilot driveJohnson’s new Drive Against Cancer scheme. We got to know Danika through Young Lives Vs Cancer, a charity that supported her and her family during her battle with cancer. They recommended her to us, thinking she would benefit from the scheme. Through the Drive Against Cancer scheme, Danika will receive 50 free driving lessons from driveJohnson’s in Milton Keynes. Find out how she got on below.
Danika Hill’s success story against cancer
After her first driving lesson, we gave Danika a call to see how it had gone. We talked about how she’d found her driving lesson and also about her experience with cancer. She was completely open and honest about what she’d been through with lymphoma and wanted to share it in case it helped others: in her words, to ‘switch a negative into a positive’. We’ve detailed the conversation below, which we found inspirational and very moving.
What type of cancer did you have, and when did you first find out about having cancer?
I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is a type of blood cancer. I was diagnosed with it on August 25th 2023, when I was 17.
I’d had a lump in my neck for about a year, which kept disappearing and then reappearing, and I originally thought it might be a cyst. I started a job in April 2023 but then began struggling with severe back, arm and leg pain. An ambulance came out to me a couple of times but I was told there was nothing to worry about. I knew something was very wrong, and after Googling my symptoms I suspected it might be Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but it wasn’t until I went to A&E that I felt I was taken seriously by doctors. I ended up getting admitted to the hospital and then I was transferred to a cancer ward. I stayed there for four days; then my parents and I were called in for the diagnosis.
How did you feel when you found out?
I already suspected I had cancer so, for me, it didn’t feel like a shock. My first reaction was to look at my parents, who had tears in their eyes as they were being told. I was devastated for them. I processed my own feelings about it later on.
How did Young Lives Vs Cancer help you?
They were so helpful and supportive. During chemo, they sent a social worker to see me to give me lots of information about resources I might find helpful. They were always on the end of the phone if I needed anything and they would regularly check in to see how I was doing.
They also gave support to my family, particularly my mum. She was by my side throughout the whole treatment process and had an especially hard time with it. I will always be grateful for the help they gave her when she needed it.
Are there any moments/periods where you look back and think, ‘That was really hard’? How did you overcome these challenges?
I remember the first time I cried about the lymphoma was when my hair started falling out. I had gained two stones from the steroids and eating extra food (that was the only way to stop myself from feeling nauseous all the time from the treatment) and I didn’t recognise myself when I looked in the mirror. I felt worried that people would look at me and think I looked ill. I didn’t want them to pity me. I was still me and I didn’t want to be treated any differently.
With getting through it all, I want to give credit to my family and my friends who all showed up so much for me, supporting me and helping me to get through. They helped me overcome the cancer and words can’t describe how grateful I am to every one of them. Now, I am determined to switch every negative experience into a positive and I know I am stronger because of it.
How did you cope with the chemotherapy?
Chemo was really tough. I would have 21-day cycles of it and the treatment was done in Oxford. The process was incredibly difficult. The journey alone would take it out of me. After the treatment, I would have 2 weeks of feeling incredibly sick, then for 2 weeks I’d begin to feel better, but I knew each round that I’d have to start the cycle all over again. I found it so hard.
In the last two rounds, I wanted to give up. My mum was my biggest motivator at that time. She told me I could do it and was my absolute rock throughout the whole process. She believed in me, and I knew I could do it because she knew I could. I am so grateful to her for being with me throughout the chemotherapy; I don’t think I would have gotten through it all without her.
How did you feel with the good news the cancer has gone and how is life treating you now?
Over the moon! It was such a relief. When I’d been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, it was like my life had been put on pause: my plans, my dreams, my hopes for the future. But now, since having the all-clear, everything that had to be put on hold is all falling back into place.
Life now feels even better than it did before. I have a job that I love – I work in a nursery, looking after babies aged from 4 months old up to 1 year old – and I am starting my NVQ Level 3 shortly. I feel excited about the future and all the possibilities ahead of me. It’s like life has started again.
Danika Hill on her first driving lesson with the Drive Against Cancer scheme
Learning to drive after cancer
How did you feel when Young Lives Vs Cancer approached you as a suitable pupil for our 50-hour free driving lessons pilot scheme in Milton Keynes?
I initially thought they were joking! I was shocked. I couldn’t believe anyone would want to give me free driving lessons, let alone 50 hours of them! When I realised that Young Lives Vs Cancer were serious and that I’d be getting these free driving lessons, I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t find the words, I felt so thankful. My parents both learnt to drive in Milton Keynes and I am so happy to be able to do the same now.
What did you cover in your first lesson and how do you think it went?
Before my driving lesson, I’d been trying not to think too much about getting behind the wheel as I felt nervous whenever it came into my head. I didn’t think I’d be very good at driving and didn’t have much faith in my ability.
My driving instructor David was brilliant. He put me right at ease and he was my cheerleader throughout the lesson. He seemed somehow completely confident in me even though I wasn’t confident at all.
David taught me the basic controls and how to move off and stop in the car. I practised driving around in a quiet area and we went through changing gears. I got up to fourth gear and I was pleased with that, especially as I didn’t think I’d be able to get that far. But David believed I could do more. That’s when he told me, ‘Right, we’re going out on the roads now.’ I laughed because I thought he was making a joke, but he was serious. He thought I could do it and reassured me that he wouldn’t ask me to try if he didn’t think I was able to. And with his encouragement, I did it! I ended up driving around the roads nearby and felt so good about myself. I can’t wait till my next lesson now.
Do you have a goal for when you would like to pass the driving test?
Ideally, I’d like to pass by the end of the year, but I know that will depend on when I can book a driving test. Hopefully, the waiting time won’t be too long.
How would having a driving licence help you even more in life?
It would give me freedom; freedom to go more places, experience more things, and live life to the fullest.
I love the beach so, as soon as I can, I plan to drive myself and my friends to the nearest one to spend the day by the sea. I can’t wait!
Achieving that driving licence
After an unsuccessful attempt at the practical test, Danika didn’t let it stop her and came back again to pass on 3rd June 2025! A huge congratulations from all of us at driveJohnson’s to her on achieving her new, shiny, pink licence and her new freedom.
John Ferguson said, “It was a pleasure to be the first instructor chosen by driveJohnson’s to pilot the Drive Against Cancer scheme and it was great fun teaching Danika. We had some challenges along the way but we put some extra lessons in, got Danika’s confidence up and she conquered those nerves, passing her test with just 6 minor faults! Well done Danika!”
Anthony Johnson said, “Huge congratulations Danika! I spoke to Danika many times throughout her time learning to drive with us and I was even fortunate enough to do a lesson with her myself. She was having trouble with big roundabouts and didn’t like parallel parking so we worked on these areas and she smashed them on her test. Well done Danika for taking all the advice and guidance on board from John and thanks to John for his hard work and commitment to help her. It has been a pleasure to be able to help you Danika – enjoy your newfound freedom!”
Thanks to Danika for sharing her story. All of us at driveJohnson’s are so happy to have been able to help her pass her test.
Danika Hill with Anthony Johnson after passing her driving test
The next person to benefit from the Drive Against Cancer scheme is Lauren Dickinson and she will be learning to drive in an automatic. More news to follow on Lauren’s progress soon.
