Latest news with #Freshers'Week
Wales Online
20 hours ago
- Health
- Wales Online
'I thought my cold symptoms were just freshers' flu but it was actually cancer'
'I thought my cold symptoms were just freshers' flu but it was actually cancer' Ezzy Pearson, 37, was beginning her first year at university when she developed what she assumed was a cold - it was much more serious Ezzy Pearson believed her cancer symptoms were all due to Fresher's flu (Image: Cancer Research UK/ SWNS ) When Ezzy Pearson started university, she put her cold symptoms down to "Freshers' flu", a common illness that many new students experience. However, what began as a runny nose, exhaustion and a persistent cough turned out to be a type of cancer called Hodgkin's lymphoma. Ezzy was 18 at the time of her diagnosis and determined not to let it get in the way of her studies. She sat all of her first-year university exams despite undergoing six months of chemotherapy, including one exam just hours after a treatment session. Nearly 20 years on and now cancer-free, Ezzy, 37, is taking part in the Race for Life in memory of her mum, Jo, who died from lung cancer at 64. She wants to help fund the research that gave her a future. She said: "On the Wednesday of Freshers' Week, I noticed a lump on the side of my neck and just felt really rubbish. I was constantly carrying around a box of tissues and assumed it was just Freshers' Flu. But when it hadn't cleared up after a month, I went to the GP." After several blood tests, she was referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. Following a biopsy on her neck lump, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer emanating from the lymphatic system, an area critical for immune defence. Despite enduring six months of chemotherapy, Ezzy - now Commissions Editor at BBC Science Focus magazine - managed to complete all her first-year university exams, one just hours post-chemotherapy. Ezzy said: "If I'd been born 30 years earlier, that diagnosis could have been a death sentence. But thanks to advances in research - much of it funded by organisations like Cancer Research UK - I had access to treatment that saved my life." Article continues below Ezzy is now going to take part in Race for Life. Ezzy said: "I was devastated when my mum died. She was a smoker, and I know there's a lot of stigma around lung cancer because of that - but it's more complex than people realise. Everyone deserves compassion and support, no matter how their illness came about. "My mum was a Scout leader and incredibly creative - I definitely take after her in my writing and creative work." Ezzy lives with her partner, Sam. They became an item soon after her mother passed away. Race for Life event in Bristol Even though Jo and Sam never met, Ezzy has found a heartfelt way to bridge the gap between them. Wearing her late mother's engagement ring as a poignant reminder, Ezzy will officially start this year's Cancer Research UK Race for Life in Bristol. Ezzy said: "After my mum passed, I started wearing her engagement ring on my right hand. When Sam and I signed our mortgage together, I moved it to my left. "It was my way of letting her know I planned on keeping him, even if I couldn't tell her in person." On Sunday, June 22, Ezzy will sound the starting horn for nearly 2,000 participants who will take on the 5k and 10k routes at The Downs, Stoke Road, in Cancer Research UK's flagship fundraiser in Bristol. Ezzy added: "I'm so excited and honoured to be starting Race for Life Bristol. It's a powerful reminder of how far we've come in cancer research - and how much more we can achieve together." She encouraged others to participate, noting, "Race for Life is just a great experience. It's not about being the fastest or the best. It doesn't matter if you run, walk or hop like a bunny - it's about coming together and doing something fantastic for a great cause." The event is part of a weekend of fundraising efforts, including the Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids obstacle courses on Saturday, June 21. Annually, approximately 37,300 people are diagnosed with cancer in the south west. Race for Life, partnered with Standard Life (part of Phoenix Group) as headline sponsor, is a nationwide series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, and Pretty Muddy Kids events. This series raises millions each year to support life-saving cancer research efforts. Ruth Amies, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson for the south west, expressed her gratitude: "We're incredibly grateful to Ezzy for being our VIP starter at Race for Life Bristol." She highlighted the vital cause, saying, "No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it." Article continues below Stressing the event's success and significance, she said: "We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years." She added: "Our events are strictly non-competitive which means everyone can have a go- and love every minute. There's no pressure to finish in a certain time, just give it what you can. Lace up and join in. "Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone." Since its founding in 1994, Race for Life has seen more than 10 million participants, raising millions of pounds for critical research.
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I found a lump on my neck I thought was flu but it was cancer'
Ezzy Pearson's cold symptoms of a runny nose, exhaustion and a persistent cough turned out to be a type of cancer When Ezzy Pearson felt a lump on the side of her neck, she was not immediately worried. She has just started at university and put it down to "freshers' flu", a common sickness many new university students contract after meeting lots of new people. However, what started as a runny nose, fatigue and a persistent cough turned out to be a form of cancer known as Hodgkin lymphoma. Ezzy, from Bristol, was just 18 when she received her diagnosis. She said: "On the Wednesday of Freshers' Week, I noticed a lump on the side of my neck and just felt really rubbish. I was constantly carrying around a box of tissues and assumed it was just Freshers' Flu. But when it hadn't cleared up after a month, I went to the GP." Following several blood tests, she was referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. Following a biopsy on the unusual lump in her neck, she was given the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer originating from the body's lymphatic system, a crucial part of our immune defence. Despite undergoing six months of chemotherapy, she sat all her first-year university exams, including one just hours after a treatment session. Fast forward nearly two decades, Ezzy, 37, is now cancer-free and participating in the Race for Life in honour of her mum, Jo, who tragically lost her battle with lung cancer at 64. Ezzy - now holding the role of Commissions Editor at BBC Science Focus magazine - is vowing to support the research that gave her a second chance at life. Ezzy said: "If I'd been born 30 years earlier, that diagnosis could have been a death sentence. But thanks to advances in research - much of it funded by organisations like Cancer Research UK - I had access to treatment that saved my life." READ MORE: Simple food change 'lowers blood pressure' in 2 hours - and it's not cutting salt READ MORE: High blood sugar and pressure can be lowered by eating these carbohydrate - filled foods She was heartbroken when she lost her mum, saying: "I was devastated when my mum died. She was a smoker, and I know there's a lot of stigma around lung cancer because of that - but it's more complex than people realise. Everyone deserves compassion and support, no matter how their illness came about." She remembers her mother as an inventive Scout leader, and feels her own creativity and writing talents are inherited from her. Now settled with her partner Sam, whom she met shortly after losing her mother, Ezzy continues looking forward. Although Jo and Sam never got the chance to meet, Ezzy has discovered touching ways to bridge the gap. Ezzy will have the honour of setting off the start of this year's Bristol Cancer Research UK Race for Life wearing her late mother's engagement ring. Ezzy said: "After my mum passed, I started wearing her engagement ring on my right hand. When Sam and I signed our mortgage together, I moved it to my left. It was my way of letting her know I planned on keeping him, even if I couldn't tell her in person." The event will take place on Sunday, June 22, where Ezzy will trigger the starting horn for almost 2,000 runners bracing themselves for either the 5k or the 10k at The Downs in Stoke Road. They will all be rallying for Cancer Research UK's leading fundraising event in Bristol. Ezzy continued: "I'm so excited and honoured to be starting Race for Life Bristol. It's a powerful reminder of how far we've come in cancer research - and how much more we can achieve together." She urged others to join in, saying: "Race for Life is just a great experience. It's not about being the fastest or the best. It doesn't matter if you run, walk or hop like a bunny - it's about coming together and doing something fantastic for a great cause." The upcoming weekend is full of fundraising activities, kicking off with Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids obstacle races on Saturday, June 21. In the south west alone, around 37,300 individuals receive a cancer diagnosis each year. The Race for Life, sponsored by Standard Life (a part of Phoenix Group), brings communities together through a variety of events such as 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy, and Pretty Muddy Kids runs across the nation. The series gathers millions each year to raise crucial funds for cancer research. Cancer Research UK's spokesperson for the South West, Ruth Amies, said: "We're incredibly grateful to Ezzy for being our VIP starter at Race for Life Bristol." She added: "No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for. Sadly nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it." Talking about the event's success and its significant role, she said: "We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years." Ruth added: "Our events are strictly non-competitive which means everyone can have a go- and love every minute. There's no pressure to finish in a certain time, just give it what you can. Lace up and join in. "Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone." Since launching in 1994, Race for Life has welcomed more than 10 million participants who've raised copious amounts vital for research efforts.
Sunday World
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
English football club pulls out of partnership with controversial adult star Bonnie Blue
The Cornwall-based football club Calstock FC backed out of the deal whereby their kit was sponsored by the OnlyFans star and insisted they did not want to 'offend' anyone The small English football club that had partnered with the controversial adult star Bonnie Blue has pulled out of the collaboration. The Cornwall-based football club Calstock FC backed out of the deal whereby their kit was sponsored by the OnlyFans star and insisted they did not want to 'offend' anyone. The tiny club had unveiled the new blue strip that featured a 'BB' logo and included the phrase 'Up The Bonnie Blue Bees' on the back. Bonnie, whose real name is Tia Emma Billinger, has claimed to have slept with 1,057 men in 12 hours. The adult star from Nottinghamshire, also caused controversy after sleeping with 'barely-legal' boys at Freshers' Week for content on her OnlyFans channel. She also recently travelled to the US to have sex with teenage college students for Spring Break. She had announced the sponsorship deal on her Instagram story which prompted the club to repost it while offering a 'massive thank you', along with a blue love heart and a bee emoji. Bonnie Blue Today's News in 90 Seconds - May 3rd The clip soon racked up a whopping 880,000 views on Instagram with hundreds of people offering their comments on the announcement. 'So as I am sure you are aware Calstock FC secured a generous sponsorship deal with social media influencer Bonnie Blue with which we acquired a new away kit (just to be clear this was not to replace our home kit of yellow/black & it is an adult team/club),' the club wrote in a Facebook post. However, with widespread criticism spreading across social media, Calstock, which describes itself as 'a drinking team with a football problem', released a statement insisting: 'We did not do this to offend'. One critic wrote: 'This isn't a flex, it's actually embarrassing as f*** for you. Calstock FC replied: 'Each to their own opinion and you're entitled to that but as a small local club, we are proud to be sponsored by her and we very much appreciate the sponsorships as we do all our sponsors. If you have nothing nice to say, just scroll on by. Another added: 'Possibly one of the worst sponsorships ever.' A third said: 'If my man was on that soccer team, I'd break up immediately.' In the statement released on Friday, Calstock FC said the English Football Association's 'interpretation of the regulations' prohibited them from wearing a kit funded by the 25-year-old. 'Due to the FA's interpretation of the regulations we are retracting the kit bearing the BB logo,' they posted. 'We did not do this to offend. We, as an adult club & collective, categorically do not advocate or support oppression of women.' They have now set up a GoFundMe page to replace the strip. 'It was great to see that so many people took an interest in our adult club & offered support so to this end we have set up a Go Fund Me page on which we would be delighted to receive your donations as we now need to replace this kit & need to secure the future financial viability of the club.' This latest offside for Bonnie follows the permanent ban she was handed down by Nottingham Forest and after she was 'escorted off the premises' having turned up at their stadium after offering to pleasure fans. The Premier League club issued the ban after she planned to give the crowd 'a good time'. They apparently banned the pornographic actress from its home stadium The City Ground which she appeared to confirm on the Only Stans podcast. The controversial strip 'I recently went to a Nottingham Forest game. Well, I attempted to,' she explained. 'I put on my socials, 'Hey boys, I'm going to be at the game, I'd like to film with you afterwards' 'I turn up at the football game and the gate security was like, 'You are permanently banned from the ground'. 'I thought when they asked me to go to the side, maybe they're upgrading my tickets, maybe they want to escort me to my seat. this is quite nice, it's a good service. 'They asked to see my tickets, I showed them and they took them off me, saying, 'we're escorting you off the premises'.' Blue said she was attending the match to 'encourage' the footballers and give the crowd a 'good time'. 'I also think if I'm entertaining the supporters it's less people drinking, so I'm actually doing something good for their health,' she insisted. For Bonnie, the next on her list to claim the record for 'first woman to have sex in space'.
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Much loved' Preston music venue 53 Degrees to reopen after decade
A "much loved" city music venue is set to reopen after being closed for almost a decade.53 Degrees in Preston's University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) campus hosted acts such as Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Kasabian and Calvin Harris but has been mostly dormant since is now preparing to welcome music fans back for a full season of live music music promoters GS Promotions said it was "delighted" to bring the venue back to life in August in partnership with UCLan Students' Union (SU) and has already lined up acts such as singer songwriter Lucy Spraggan, Peat & Diesel, and the Lancashire Hotpots. 53 Degrees originally opened its doors in 2005 and was run by UCLan SU. It said it closed its doors in 2015 as students' preferences changed and the music industry was evolving making it tough to keep the venue going as a full-time gig space, although it still used it for key student events like Freshers' Week. 'Go-to destination' Jon Russ, from UCLan SU, said: "We're thrilled to be bringing this iconic venue back to life in partnership with GS Promotions, adding to the vibrant live music scene in the heart of the city. "Our goal is to make 53 Degrees a go-to destination for students, locals and touring acts alike."GS Promotions director Gav Scott said it was "dead exciting" to bring the "much loved" venue back to said it had always held a "special place in the hearts of music lovers in Preston" and it was "working hard to secure an incredible roster of artists and shows for the venue".The relaunch will start with opening the venue's 400-capacity room with hopes to eventually expand into the venue's larger room, which has a capacity for 1,500 people. Sarah Threlfall, deputy chief executive and director of community and wellbeing at Preston City Council, said 53 Degrees was a "landmark venue for many" and its reopening as a hub for live music was "fantastic news" for the city and would further enhance its cultural offer. Have you got any old photos from 53 Degrees and memories you would like to share? Use the form below to get in touch. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
South China Morning Post
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is Bonnie Blue, the controversial OnlyFans porn star banned from Australia for trying to bed ‘barely legal' school leavers? The adult entertainer hails from the UK and her mum works alongside her
Like OnlyFans' Lily Phillips , controversial adult entertainer Bonnie Blue has made a name for herself by taking on 'sex challenges' for the benefit of her subscribers on the platform. Bonnie Blue rose to fame after sleeping with over 100 men at the Gold Coast Schoolies, an event for Australian high school leavers, in 2023, and filming it for her OnlyFans account. She did the same in Mexico in 2023 during spring break, then again in the UK last September for Freshers' Week. She was planning on continuing her streak at Australia's 2024 Schoolies Week alongside fellow OF creator Annie Knight, but after announcing the event, her visa was cancelled following the collection of 20,000 signatures on a petition calling for her to be denied entry to the country. Advertisement Although some have called her behaviour 'predatory', Blue justified her decision to create explicit content with 'barely legal' men in an interview with MailOnline, saying: 'These 18-year-olds can go to the Army, they can drive, they can drink, they're choosing their careers for the rest of their life. If they want to use their own bodies to come and sleep with me, that is their decision.' Calling her critics 'uneducated', she argued: 'We seem to say 18-year-olds don't know better. But if an 18-year-old commits a crime, the first thing they would say is that they're an adult, they should know better. So we seem to pick and choose when we like to treat them as kids.' Besides bedding much younger men, and claiming to also sleep with their fathers and university lecturers, Bonnie Blue has also taken flak for her misogynistic comments justifying cheating. 'If women were better in the bedroom, men wouldn't cheat,' she told the Daily Star tabloid. Elsewhere, she has talked about her goal of breaking the world record for the highest number of sexual partners in a day. Clearly, Bonnie Blue isn't worried about the haters but who is the woman behind the online persona? Here's everything we know. She comes from a middle-class background Bonnie Blue has never known her biological father. Photo: @bonnie_blue_xox/Instagram Bonnie Blue, whose real name is Tia Billinger, grew up in the English village of Draycott, Derbyshire. Her family includes her mother, Sarah Billinger, stepfather Nicholas Elliott, and two half-siblings, per The Mirror. She has apparently never known her biological father, but has hit back at critics who suggest her early life informed her work: 'I don't come from a broken family. I don't have daddy issues. You can do the job I do because I love sex and come from a completely normal family and people seem to struggle to understand that,' she said on The Reality Check podcast. Blue attended Friesland School, where she was known as the popular girl who wore make-up and was friends with senior boys and girls, per The Sun. She enjoyed dancing, and in 2015, took part in the British Street Dance Championships in Glasgow. A young Billinger aspired to become a professional dancer or a midwife while working part time at Poundstretcher, according to her former classmates. Her family supports her chosen career
