In 2024, our company director, Anthony Johnson, launched Drive Against Cancer: a scheme aimed at giving young people supported by Young Lives vs Cancer the chance to learn to drive and take back a sense of freedom after a cancer diagnosis.
Following Danika’s inspiring success story, Lauren Dickinson is now the second courageous young person to receive up to 50 free driving lessons through the scheme.
Lauren’s story is one of hope and resilience, as she works towards achieving her driving goals for her and her young family. Find out more about her below.
Lauren Dickinson’s story
Lauren has been taking automatic driving lessons in Milton Keynes with local driveJohnson’s driving instructor Jeff Brooks. Her lessons have been going very well, and she now has a driving test booked in December. We caught up with her and she shared her reasons for taking part in the scheme and hopes for the future.
What type of cancer did you have, and when did you first find out about having cancer?
I was misdiagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer last July, but it was actually a stage 4 tumour, which stemmed from my ovaries and uterus area. I was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, a primitive excedermal tumour.
I originally started going to the doctors as I was worried about some swelling in my right leg, but it took months to diagnose. I went repeatedly to the GP and hospital, and they couldn’t find anything. It was mentally and physically draining, and I was in so much pain. When they finally did a CT scan in the right area, they found a tumour the size of a small football, and the cancer had spread throughout my body.
What type of cancer did you have, and when did you first find out about having cancer?
I was misdiagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer last July, but it was actually a stage 4 tumour, which stemmed from my ovaries and uterus area. I was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, a primitive excedermal tumour.
I originally started going to the doctors as I was worried about some swelling in my right leg, but it took months to diagnose. I went repeatedly to the GP and hospital, and they couldn’t find anything. It was mentally and physically draining, and I was in so much pain. When they finally did a CT scan in the right area, they found a tumour the size of a small football, and the cancer had spread throughout my body.
How did you feel when you found out?
I had been told by my GP that it could be cancer, so it wasn’t a complete shock. I was on my own when I received the diagnosis, and I knew it was going to be bad when the doctor came in with tissues at the ready.
They had found cancer in my liver, stomach lining, uterus, everywhere. I wasn’t told about the stage I was at then, but I could tell it was bad. I kept thinking about 5 and 6-year-old boys, and how it would affect them.
I’ve learnt to live with it, and I have been told by people that I seem unaffected, but it has been incredibly hard.
How did Young Lives Vs Cancer help you?
They were so helpful. When I was diagnosed at 24, our family income took a hit as I couldn’t work and my partner needed to take time off to look after me and the kids. YLVC told me about grants I was eligible for and helped me apply. They gave me vouchers for food shopping and supported me when I moved from being treated in London to Oxford.
My kids have been through so much with me and have been so strong that they gave us tickets to go to Legoland so that we could spend the day together as a family.
How did you cope with the treatment?
It was surgery first to remove the tumour, including a full hysterectomy and removal of my spleen, and other parts that the cancer had spread to.
I then had chemotherapy for four months, which was the worst time of my life. It was gruelling and I got sepsis twice.
I am stabilised now. The chemo shrank the cancer on my liver to small nodules. I have been told I probably won’t ever get rid of it, but it can be years before it comes back. I have scans every three months to monitor it, and we know the chemo works, so if it does get worse, it can be used again.
Are there any moments/periods where you look back and think “That was really hard”, and how did you overcome these challenges?
Chemo. Being away from the kids for so long was the hardest thing. I was in the hospital for days, sometimes weeks. I also lost my hair, which was long and I’d loved.
I made the decision to shave my own hair before having chemo. I didn’t want the chemo to take it, as it should be my choice when to lose it. It gave me some control back that way.
Now my hair is growing back, and it’s coming through curly with ringlets, which I love.
How are you now?
Mentally, I am feeling great. I am back working again – I work part-time in a school and I really enjoy it. I wanted to get back to work as soon as possible and just get on with things, because life is short.
Learning to drive with the Drive Against Cancer scheme
How did you feel when Young Lives Vs Cancer approached you as a suitable pupil for our 50-hour free lessons pilot scheme in Milton Keynes?
I was shocked! I hadn’t heard of the scheme before and didn’t think driving would be possible for me because we couldn’t afford it. I have also been able to apply for a car through the Mobility Scheme, which is a dream come true.
Lauren Dickinson with her family and new car
Before this opportunity, what was your relationship with driving? Had you driven before, and were you nervous to learn?
I have never driven before, and I was worried about learning because I didn’t think I would be able to get the hang of it. But now, I really enjoy driving and feel confident doing it.
What did you cover in your first lessons, and how do you think it went?
My instructor, Jeff, drove us to a quiet estate and immediately got me behind the wheel, showing me the controls. We did lots of left and right turns at a snail’s pace.
To start off with, I found it hard to feed the wheel and steer, but by the end of the 2-hour lesson, I was doing much better. Now steering comes naturally to me.
What’s been the most fun part of learning to drive?
How free I feel behind the wheel. It’s a completely different experience from being a passenger princess being driven by other people. I feel grown up. And it’s something I’m achieving for myself; it gives me a sense of pride.
Do you have a favourite memory from a lesson?
Jeff is very patient and really helpful. When I do something wrong, he doesn’t shout, he loud-whispers!
One time, he was talking and waffling a bit, and then he realised I had zoned out. He said, “You’re not listening, are you? I said, “No.” He said, “You’re just nodding your head, aren’t you?” I said, “Yeah.”
The memory still makes me laugh.
Do you have a goal for when you would like to pass the driving test?
My test is booked for Christmas Eve, so I am hoping to pass then. It will be a great Christmas present!
How do you think being able to drive will change your day-to-day life?
It will make such a difference to the whole family. I will be able to go out with the kids and do more activities after school. Even going food shopping will be easier, as I can just put the food in the back of the car.
How have your family and friends reacted to you taking driving lessons?
They are really happy for me. My mum and my sister are looking forward to us visiting them more often. My sister lives in Peterborough, so I am excited that I’ll be able to drive to visit her.
What does learning to drive mean to you personally, after everything you’ve been through?
It means a lot. When I was diagnosed, I didn’t think I’d even be able to make it through the year. Learning to drive completely changes what we can do as a family. It opens up so many more opportunities for us.
After passing your driving test, do you have other goals or things you’re excited to do next?
I want to do some exploring with my family and take them to lots of places. I plan to drive down to the beach, and I would like to go on a holiday at a holiday park.
The UK will be open to us, and I can’t wait for the freedom.
Thank you so much, Lauren, for sharing your story with us. We are so happy that the scheme is helping you and your family, and we look forward to hearing that you have achieved your licence soon.
To find out how Lauren gets on and follow her progress, keep an eye on this page.
