Lisa makes cancer recovery

Having been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia when she was about to start nursery school, Lisa has made an incredible recovery. She is currently loving life as a strength and conditioning coach.

Lisa, one of five sisters, told the ‘MAIL’: “When I was three I was in hospital for 11 months including Christmas and my birthday.

“I had to drop out of nursery, but I was able to go to primary school.

“It was tough. I wasn’t allowed to mix with anybody after the treatment.

“I remember one of my sisters got chicken pox and I wasn’t allowed anywhere near her because if I got it, it would have killed me.”

Lisa continued: “I’ve always wanted to be active and I wasn’t going to let it affect me. At about seven or eight I started to get my energy back.

“At the start I was getting check ups every week, then it was once a month, now it’s on a yearly basis.”

Last year Lisa completed an undergraduate degree with a first class honours in Sport and Exercise Science at Jordanstown.

“Sport is a major part of my life,” she said.

“I’m a strength and conditioning coach in the Sports Institute Northern Ireland (SINI) which is the best job in the world.

“I work with Northern Ireland’s elite and developing athletes to help them reach their sporting potential on a world stage.

“I am also completing a part-time PhD within this area in SINI.”

Lisa, a girl with an extremely positive outlook, has competed for Lurgan Ladies hockey club and Ireland at underage level. She said: “I am injured at the minute but I can’t wait to get back playing as soon as I can.”