A man who fled his country on his own aged just 13 was diagnosed with a rare cancer a few years later.

Gorani Peyman, 18, is an Iranian Kurd who fled from Iran to the UK in 2017 and was looked after in a children’s home in Accrington.

Determined to build a bright future for himself, Gorani attended The Hollins school in Accrington where he finished his GCSE’s in 2021 and planned to move into further education.

However, two months after he finished Year 11, Gorani started experiencing pain in his stomach and his right testicle became swollen.

Lancashire Telegraph: Gorani was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma when he was 16-years-oldGorani was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma when he was 16-years-old (Image: Gorani Peyman)

He went to Royal Blackburn Hospital and was prescribed antibiotics, but two weeks later his symptoms worsened.

His GP sent the teenager for an emergency scan and he was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitt lymphoma.

Burkitt lymphoma is a cancer which occurs when the body makes abnormal B lymphocytes that are normally used to help fight infections.

Gorani was transferred to The Christie Hospital where he stayed for more than four months.

Speaking about his traumatic experience, Gorani said: “It took 28 days for me to get a diagnosis and when I went to the Christie, the staff said if it was even just a few days later it could have been fatal.

“I was in hospital for months and during that time I lost around 16 or 17 kilograms in weight and was vomiting blood, and at times I was struggling to breathe.”

Despite the difficult time, Gorani expressed his gratitude to his teachers, hospital staff and Lancashire County Council for their support.

He said: “My support worker was allowed to visit me a few times a week and my teachers at The Hollins were so kind and checked up on me over the phone every day when I was in hospital, and even now still make sure I’m okay.

"They said, ‘don’t think of us as teachers, think we are your family’.

“Everyone around me was amazing, I want to thank them for their help and let them know they are good and kind people.

“The staff at the Christie didn’t want me to say thank you and kept saying to me ‘it’s our job to help you recover’. I can’t thank them enough.”

Gorani received positive news in December and was finally given the all clear.

He goes for a check-up every four months but has been able to move on with his life and enjoy his passions and hobbies.

He said: “I felt like the happiest person in the world when the doctor told me I recovered. I was in shock to be honest.

“It’s changed my life because I sometimes think to myself ‘I am strong, I beat this cancer’. But sometimes I do worry it might come back any time.

“Life after the cancer has been good. I moved to Preston where I am renting a home with support from Universal Credit. My support worker is great and helps me by taking me to my appointments.

“I have completed my Level 7 football referee training course so I attend games on the weekends.

"I have an operation for my anterior cruciate ligament in February but after that I want to do the next course. My dream is to become a referee or coach.”

Gorani is inspired to help as many people as he can as he knows how important it is to have a good support system.

He added: “I was told that I can’t donate my blood or bone marrow because I have had chemotherapy.

"But if anyone who is going through cancer and needs any support, can reach out to me. I want to help.”