TWO-TIME cancer survivor Brad Gudger has launched a new app to combat loneliness among young people with cancer.

Brad Gudger, 27, of Northallerton, was first diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 2013, aged 19. But following a relapse he required more treatment.

While isolating in a hospital ward awaiting a bone marrow transplant in 2018, he was inspired to begin work on the Alike charity and app - a revolutionary project that would completely change how people in the cancer community stay connected and tackle loneliness.

With four years’ experience working with national and international organisations such as Teenage Cancer Trust, NHS England, and the United Nations, Brad used his network and experience to build Alike, a charity that would transform peer-support for young cancer patients across the UK.

Within weeks of the launch of the Alike app, hundreds of people signed up - leaving positive feedback.

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Brad said: “What’s extraordinary is that 83 per cent of young people diagnosed with cancer experience loneliness during and after treatment, and nearly four in five of them want to interact online with other young people in similar situations - but there is no digital network to connect them.

“Research has found that loneliness increases the likelihood of mortality by 26 per cent.

"In young people facing a cancer diagnosis, loneliness is a major factor in survival and long-term outcomes.

"We’ve interviewed users and found some of them have even contemplated suicide because of how alone their diagnosis made them feel.

"Our app is about stopping that loneliness, and giving people the space to talk about what they’re going through with others who understand.”

Users are already posting about the positive impact the app is having on their lives:

Enkay, 24, was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma in 2019. She said: “On the Alike app, you don’t have to talk about cancer if you don’t want to, but you know everyone understands, so if you want to talk about cancer you can. It’s a safe space where we can talk about our experiences, but we can also just talk about normal things like our interests.”

Jay, 41, was diagnosed with colon cancer in January. He says: “Having support from people that are going or have gone through the same thing is more valuable than I could ever have imagined, and being able to have instant access to the cancer community through an app such as Alike is more than just important, it’s essential.”

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