Tina’s update: living with stage 4 ALK+ lung cancer, five years on

Tina first shared her story with us in 2024. She had never smoked, she’d been diagnosed with stage 4 ALK+ lung cancer in 2021, and she was focused on what was coming up: watching her grandson Archie start school, spending time with her two children, and booking a cruise for her 60th.

Two years on, she’s still making plans. But it’s been a hard year. Tina lost her brother to prostate cancer.

“I’ve had a tough year as I lost my brother to prostate cancer, and it’s that reminder that life is cruel as well as beautiful.”

She’s also been thinking about Jade, a fellow ALK+ volunteer who sat next to her at the 2025 UK Social Media Awards and who has since died. Jade loved being outdoors and lived life to the full, and Tina wants her part in this year’s campaign to celebrate her.

“Last year at the awards night I sat next to a wonderful lady called Jade. I’d like to be part of this campaign to celebrate the amazing life of Jade. Wow, what an incredible person she was. She lived her life to the full, and she inspired me to go out and live, to do the things that make you feel alive.”

Tina turns 60 in 2027, and the cruise has turned into something bigger.

Five years after a stage 4 diagnosis, Tina is planning a birthday that lasts a whole year.