In a striking tale of resilience and determination, 21-year-old Ayley Crawford from Wishaw, Scotland, has opened up about her battle with acute myeloid leukaemia, an aggressive form of blood cancer that turned her young life upside down. The nursing student, who initially dismissed her symptoms as a persistent cold, experienced a life-altering event during a routine exam in March 2024 when she fainted due to her deteriorating health.
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At just 19 years old, Crawford had been feeling unwell for weeks. “I had colds and sinus infections I just couldn’t shake,” she recalled, describing a period of extreme fatigue that left her feeling weak and unable to stand. Despite the warning signs, it was not until she fainted that the seriousness of her condition became apparent.
After undergoing a series of tests, Ayley received a devastating diagnosis: acute myeloid leukaemia. “My first thought was, ‘I’m going to die,’” she reflected. Even though she sensed something was amiss, the reality of a cancer diagnosis was a shocking and overwhelming experience.
Promptly beginning treatment, she underwent four cycles of chemotherapy, a process that brought significant physical and emotional challenges. “My hair thinned and I felt sick all the time,” she recalled. Yet despite the harrowing side effects, she remained focused on her goal of returning to her life as a student.
In November 2024, Crawford was informed that she had reached remission, providing a glimmer of hope amidst her struggles. However, her relief was short-lived, as a biopsy in March 2025 revealed that her cancer had returned. “I was devastated. I felt like everything I went through with my treatment had been for nothing,” she said, describing the shock of learning that her health had deteriorated once again.
The next chapter of her fight against cancer involved a stem cell transplant in July 2025, which she deemed “one of the hardest” experiences of her life. “Going through transplant was honestly the worst thing I’ve ever endured,” Crawford shared, recalling the pain of digestive ulcers and the isolation she faced during treatment. Confined to her room for five weeks and self-isolating for an additional three months upon returning home, the physical toll was immense, leaving her feeling weak and exhausted.
The impact of cancer treatment extended beyond physical suffering. Crawford struggled with her self-image as the side effects of medication left her with rashes and swelling. “It was very hard for me dealing with how I looked as a young woman at the time,” she admitted. However, she credits her family and friends for their unwavering support during this challenging period.
Now in remission once more, Crawford acknowledges the lingering anxiety that comes with the possibility of a cancer relapse. “I’m so grateful for the treatment I received, but the anxiety around relapse will never leave,” she said, reflecting on the profound change her experience with cancer has wrought upon her life. She expressed a sense of loss, mourning the experiences she missed out on during her battle with illness.
Despite the setbacks, Crawford is determined to channel her experience into her nursing career. “The one good thing to come of it all is that I think it will make me a better nurse,” she explained. With a foundation of medical knowledge already in place, she feels uniquely equipped to empathise with patients and families facing similar health crises. Furthermore, she expressed a desire to specialise in oncology, aiming to provide care for those battling cancer.
As she looks ahead, her immediate goal is to return to her studies and make up for the time lost during her treatment. “I just want to catch up on all my missed time!” Crawford said, filled with a renewed sense of purpose. Her journey thus far has been marked by hardship, yet through it all, she remains steadfast in her commitment to helping others while navigating her own healing process.
The story of Ayley Crawford serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by young adults battling serious illnesses. It showcases not only the resilience required to overcome such obstacles but also the potential for personal growth and transformation that can emerge from even the darkest of times.