### University Student Mistakes “Freshers’ Flu” for Cold—Discovers It’s Cancer
When Ezzy Pearson began her university journey at 18, the whirlwind of new experiences was overshadowed by what she believed to be a simple case of “Freshers’ flu”—a fate familiar to many incoming students. Sniffles, fatigue, and an unshakeable cough seemed like typical symptoms of this initiation, but for Ezzy, it marked the beginning of a much more serious ordeal: she was unknowingly battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Ezzy’s story, now shared nearly two decades on, underscores how easily symptoms of serious illnesses can masquerade as everyday ailments, particularly among young people adapting to a new life. “I noticed a lump on the side of my neck by the middle of Freshers’ Week,” Ezzy recalled. “I felt constantly run down and relied on tissues, thinking I’d shake it off.” But as the weeks rolled by and her health failed to improve, concern grew. After a month of unrelenting symptoms, she sought medical advice, suspecting something more than just a cold.
Following initial blood tests and a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, Ezzy underwent a biopsy on the lump. The result was a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer originating in the lymphatic system—a pivotal component in the body’s immune defences. Despite enduring six months of chemotherapy, Ezzy was determined not to let her health struggles disrupt her education. She impressively sat all of her first-year university exams, with one paper completed just hours after receiving chemotherapy.
Now aged 37 and declared cancer-free, Ezzy has channelled her experience into advocacy and remembrance. She works as Commissions Editor at BBC Science Focus magazine and is set to participate in the Bristol Race for Life event, honouring her late mother Jo, who sadly died from lung cancer at 64. “My mum’s passing was devastating,” Ezzy reflected. Despite lingering stigma around lung cancer due to her mother’s history as a smoker, Ezzy firmly believes in the need for universal compassion and support, regardless of the cause of illness.
Keeping her mother’s memory alive has been a deeply personal journey. Although her partner Sam never met Jo, Ezzy finds connection by wearing her late mother’s engagement ring—at first on her right hand, and now on her left since she and Sam bought a home together. The ring serves as a subtle, poignant gesture, a symbol of continuity between the past and present.
This year, Ezzy will officially start the Cancer Research UK Race for Life in Bristol, where hundreds will gather to tackle the 5k and 10k routes to raise money for research. “It’s an honour to start the race,” she explained, “because it’s not about competition—it’s about solidarity, hope, and advancing the fight against cancer.” For Ezzy, events like these offer a meaningful way to celebrate progress in cancer treatment and raise vital funds. She encourages anyone—regardless of fitness level—to take part, emphasising that it’s “about coming together and doing something fantastic for a great cause.”
The weekend will also feature the Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids obstacle courses, expanding the invitation to families. The event comes at a critical time: every year, approximately 37,300 people in the south west alone receive a cancer diagnosis. Race for Life, together with headline sponsor Standard Life, remains a cornerstone in funding research that has led to a doubling of UK cancer survival rates in the last five decades.
Ruth Amies, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK in the south west, expressed deep gratitude for Ezzy’s involvement and highlighted the personal impact each participant can have. “The support from people like Ezzy is invaluable,” Amies stated. “With nearly half of us facing cancer in our lifetimes, everyone’s contribution is essential in driving forward research that saves lives. Every pound raised goes towards vital work, ensuring there is hope for the future.”
Since its inception in 1994, Race for Life has seen over 10 million participants and raised millions of pounds for cancer research. The event’s inclusive format invites everyone—whether running in honour of a loved one, fundraising for fun, or seeking community—to join in the battle against cancer.
Ezzy’s journey stands as a powerful reminder: being alert to persistent health changes and seeking support can be life-saving. Her story, rooted in resilience and advocacy, encourages others to come together for a cause that affects us all, proving, perhaps above all, that there is strength in solidarity.