Kit Chester-Canavan with brother Bodie, mum Amanda and Arsenal players Jurrien Timber, Tommy Setford and David Raya (Image: Amanda Chester/SWNS)
A teenage lad’s “agonising” back pain and loss of appetite were eventually diagnosed as leukaemia after doctors allegedly initially brushed off his symptoms as a viral infection. Kit Chester-Canavan, 16, started experiencing back pain in three to four-day bouts in April last year and after taking a tumble on his bike the following October, he sought medical advice with the pain now “really severe”.
Kit was initially diagnosed with a simple musculoskeletal problem, but when the pain persisted for a month and his mum observed a significant weight loss, he returned to the surgery. However, the family alleges that doctors attempted to dismiss Kit with a virus, so his mum, Amanda Chester, 51, demanded a blood test due to his pain, lack of appetite and a 15lbs weight loss.
The results revealed that the level of inflammation in his body was dangerously high. Kit, a massive Arsenal fan who was active and healthy prior to his diagnosis, was informed he had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B Type) on November 28, 2025.
He has commenced chemotherapy, immunotherapy and bone marrow tests to halt the spread of the cancer and medics at University College Hospital London (UCLH) predict his treatment will span two years. Amanda established a fundraising page to fulfil Kit’s desire to contribute to the Teenage Cancer Trust and to provide him with a beacon of hope.
Kit, from Bushey, Hertfordshire, said: “I was very shocked when I got the diagnosis. We were in Watford General and they went to speak to my mum in a separate room. When I went to see her she was crying and when she told me I had leukaemia I almost laughed because I was so shocked.
Kit Chester-Canavan in hospital (Image: Amanda Chester/SWNS)
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“It started out as muscular pain in my lower back, it was real agony, horrible. After the bike crash it was worse, really severe, more agony. It was annoying me, but I never thought anything of it. You never expect it to be you.”
Amanda added: “If I hadn’t shouted for the blood test would we be in a different position? They should’ve been able to see something bigger was going on, that there were red flags.”
Kit will have a PICC line in his arm throughout treatment, which will prevent him from engaging in “all his favourite things”. He is responding positively to treatment and when he’s not watching Arsenal or UFC during recovery, he’s planning an adventure through Vietnam, Thailand and Bali that will culminate in the bungee jump in New Zealand that he’s dreamed of since he was eight years old.
Kit said: “This is just a fork in the road for me. It’s a David vs Goliath battle, but I’ll come out of it stronger.
“I really, really, want to go to Asia. I’d love to explore the culture, eat the food. I want to go spear fishing and cook what I catch over an open fire and then do the bungee jump in New Zealand.
Kit Chester-Canavan (Image: Amanda Chester/SWNS)
“It’s been tough, I’ve been in and out of hospital and in pain, but there are good and bad days. I’m just grateful for everyone, my friends, family and all the charities.
“I got a signed shirt from Eberechi Eze and a plaque from the whole team. The Teenage Cancer Trust have been really supportive and have done a lot for me and other children – they brought in David Raya, Tommy Setford and Jurrien Timber.”
Amanda added: “We don’t know why he’s developed this, there’s no rhyme or reason. He’s very headstrong and has always been health-conscious, eating tonnes of fruit and vegetables.
“As a mum it’s really upsetting because you do all this stuff and it makes no difference. His younger brother, Bodie, 14, has found it really hard. You’re left wondering: ‘what did I do wrong?’
“We’re hopeful now. He’s so positive, which makes me proud. We use a lot of humour to get through it and he’s just got an incredible ability to be so strong and courageous.
“But it is really hard for him, it’s two years of treatment when he should be going to parties and doing all those things a lad his age should, but now he’s too vulnerable, ill or tired. That’s why the fundraiser is a thing, because I want him to have a goal to look forward to. He’s always been an adrenaline junkie, a complete and utter lunatic who’d do anything dangerous.
“We’re so grateful for everyone’s support. Other children in UCLH have really extreme journeys, so we want to support them too.
“Kit will have a great future, I’m extremely proud of him, his positivity is awe-inspiring. It’s been a lot for both of us, but his strength will shine through.”
