Doctors told Alana Matthews she had a chest infection, but it took months to learn the real cause
When Alana Matthews struggled to recover from what appeared to be a bad case of flu, she attributed it to seasonal illnesses doing the rounds. However, despite two GP appointments where she was told it was probably a chest infection, she remained persistently poorly.
When she discovered she couldn’t maintain pace with her partner and friend, they recognised something was seriously wrong. Yet it wasn’t until a 999 call saw the then 26-year-old rushed to hospital after she struggled to breathe that she finally discovered the devastating reality.
Rather than influenza or a chest infection, Alana was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive type of blood cancer. AML represents one of the most challenging blood cancers to treat, and tragically, despite her determined battle against the illness, Alana passed away just 18 months after initially falling ill.
Her best friend is now speaking out as part of AML Awareness Day, as Blood Cancer UK warn just three in 10 people currently survive the most difficult to treat blood cancers. Katie Powell, from London, hopes to emphasise the critical need for swifter diagnosis and availability of cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials.
Katie said: “At the end of 2023, she had what seemed like really bad flu – it was that time of year when everything is going around. But she just couldn’t shake it off.” Alana consulted her GP on two occasions, being informed it was presumably the “back end of a chest infection”, but by February her symptoms had deteriorated, reports the Mirror.
Katie recalled: “I remember walking next to her and then realising she was about 20 metres behind me.
“She was so out of breath, she just couldn’t keep up. We were all looking at each other thinking, ‘this isn’t right’.”
The following day, Alana’s partner, Charlie Matthews, had to dial 999 when her breathing became severely laboured. She was taken to hospital, where examinations confirmed she had AML.
Katie stated: “They said it was aggressive and they needed to act now. She stayed in hospital for six months from that point.”
Alana received intensive chemotherapy and achieved remission by July 2024, even completing her university degree with first-class honours during a temporary recovery period.
However, weeks afterwards, her cancer recurred. She had more treatment, including participating in clinical trials testing new drug combinations.
Initially, the trial showed encouraging results, yet despite further aggressive chemotherapy, doctors told Alana and her family that no further treatment avenues remained. It was then Alana and Charlie arranged their wedding ceremony in just five days.
Katie said: “It was emotional, but it was also just a really beautiful day, she powered through – I think it was her perfect wedding. She just got on with it, she never complained. Her attitude was always, ‘well, what other option do I have?’
“She was my hero! She had the most incredible sense of humour – her laugh was contagious and she could make any situation better.”
Even in her final months, Alana remained a pillar of support for those closest to her. As Katie took on a sponsored walk from London to Brighton, Alana sent voice notes cheering her on every step of the way.
“She FaceTimed us while we were walking, even then, she was the one lifting us up.” Alana passed away in October 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Katie is now urging others to push for answers if something doesn’t feel right.
“If there’s one thing she would say, it’s: trust your gut. She went to the GP twice and was told it was just flu – no tests were done. She knew something wasn’t right.”
Blood cancer remains the UK’s third biggest cancer killer, yet survival rates for certain types – including AML – continue to be poor. While outcomes have improved considerably for many forms of the disease, only around 3 in 10 people survive the hardest-to-treat types. Blood Cancer UK says more than 2,900 people receive an AML diagnosis in the UK every year.
Jane Nunnick, Senior Clinical Trials Nurse at Blood Cancer UK, said: “Alana’s story demonstrates that progress has been far too slow for some people with blood cancer. While survival has improved for many, the outlook for aggressive diseases like acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remains poor.
“That’s why clinical trials are so vital, they give people who desperately need them, access to the latest treatments. We urgently need to see more investment in treatments and trials so that more people like Alana have a chance to live.”
In the wake of Alana’s passing, Katie has raised thousands of pounds for Blood Cancer UK by completing an 85-mile walk from London to Brighton and a half marathon. She explained: “I needed to do something that pushed me mentally and physically.
“She went through so much – I felt like I could push myself too. If her story can help even one person – whether that’s spotting symptoms earlier, pushing for answers, or just feeling less alone – that’s what she would have wanted.”
Blood Cancer UK has invested £500 million into blood cancer research since 1960. The charity is currently backing 100 research projects at a total cost of £31.7 million.
To stay informed about all the latest blood cancer developments, visit https://bloodcancer.org.uk/news/ and follow them on social media. For free and confidential support and information regarding blood cancer and life following a diagnosis, call 0808 2080 888 or send an email to [email protected]. Connect with others affected by blood cancer by joining the online forum at forum.bloodcancer.org.uk
