Meet Ryan who's racing against time to meet his baby boy

Ryan Storey, 28, from Beverley, was living what he describes as a ‘normal life’ and planning a future with his partner when he discovered a small lump under his arm in July 2025.

“We had a house and a plan for life together. We were just getting started. But I’d been to the GP three times with this lump and every time I’d been pretty much dismissed. It was actually my mum who pushed the hospital and got me an ultrasound.”

By the time Ryan was diagnosed in August, he had stage-4 Burkitt lymphoma, an aggressive form of blood cancer that had spread to his stomach.

Shockingly, Blood Cancer UK statistics show nearly 4 in 10 (38%) people with blood cancer have to visit their GP three or more times before being diagnosed, compared with 7% of breast cancer patients. And almost 30% of blood cancers are diagnosed after an emergency presentation compared with 4% of breast cancers and 7% of prostate cancers.

“I was at work when I heard. I’d done a little bit of Googling, which I know I shouldn’t be doing. I just didn’t expect to hear something like that, as other than the lump I was feeling fine in myself.”

Ryan began chemotherapy immediately and has since undergone multiple treatment cycles and radiotherapy. Despite this, the cancer returned.

Ryan and his partner had spent years building their future together, now they’ve had to move back in with Ryan’s parents.

“We’ve built a life together and she’s lost it all at only 22. For someone to lose their house, lifestyle like that is a lot.”

In the midst of treatment, the couple received unexpected news: they were expecting a baby boy after two years of trying.
“We’ve already got a name, Ruben. He did have his own bedroom, but now we’ve lost the house and we’re starting again.”

Throughout it all, Ryan has remained positive.
“One of the nurses came in after my second round of chemo and said, ‘Ryan, you look so ill.’ I said, ‘I will do, Lucy - I’ve got cancer.’ We both laughed. The staff at Castle Hill have been amazing. I would never wish blood cancer on anyone, but I’ve had a good run with it. The people I’ve met, the doctors and nurses, we have a right good laugh. I’d almost consider them friends.

On Christmas Eve 2025, Ryan proposed at Beverley railway station.
“She thought it was a joke and walked off. I had to drag her back, but in the end she said yes.”

Scans have shown that radiotherapy failed to halt the cancer, and Ryan was told there were no further standard treatment options. He is now waiting to learn whether additional treatment may be possible.
“We’re relying on this two percent chance. It’s incredibly small, but you never know.

His next appointment could determine what options remain.
“I think everyone is dreading it. I’m in a race against time to see my baby boy born, to get married, to make sure everyone’s alright. I could be dead now if I hadn’t pushed for answers.

Ryan’s message to people who may be experiencing something similar:
“Make the most of your time, you never know what’s around the corner. Something people take for granted every day, like going to work or being there with your child, that’s all I want.”