What was supposed to be a relaxing family vacation in sunny Spain quickly turned into a chilling nightmare for 13-year-old Billie Williams.
When she first spotted a small lump under her arm, she assumed it was nothing more than swollen glands from a cold. But within weeks, the lump grew bigger — and what doctors eventually uncovered left her and her family shaken to their core.
Billie Williams, a young model from Derbyshire, never imagined that what seemed like a harmless cold would turn out to be something far more serious. At just 13, Billie had signed with a modelling agency and was enjoying a summer holiday in Spain when she noticed a sore lump under her arm. She also had a persistent cough and initially believed it was just swollen lymph nodes caused by a recent cold and Covid infection.
But when the lumps didn’t go away — and even more appeared on her neck — Billie started to worry something was wrong. “I first felt it while sitting in an inflatable ring,” she recalled. “It rubbed against my skin and felt sore. When I noticed a couple more lumps, I thought it could just be my immune system fighting something off, but I couldn’t shake the thought that it might be cancer.”
Back in the UK, Billie and her mum, Emma, visited their GP, who advised them to monitor the swelling for four weeks. During that time, the lump continued to grow and became increasingly painful, at times leaving Billie in tears. A follow-up appointment led to a hospital referral, where a chest X-ray revealed a large mass pressing against her windpipe. Billie chose to wait outside the room when the results were delivered to her parents.
Emma described the moment she was told the news as “numbing.” She said, “When the consultant told me Billie had Hodgkin lymphoma, my whole world fell apart. I felt physically sick and couldn’t stop shaking.” Doctors decided to keep the full details from Billie until more tests were completed.
Billie was referred to a Teenage Cancer Trust unit that same day. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, and she began chemotherapy in September 2022. The treatment was brutal — she experienced a severe reaction, had to stay in hospital for a week, and was even tube-fed. “I lost so much weight and felt so weak that I had to use a wheelchair,” Billie said.
Despite the side effects, Billie pushed through four rounds of chemotherapy. Blood transfusions gave her strength, but her mother admits watching her daughter fight the illness was agonising. “I lost a stone from worry. Seeing her go through that at 13 was devastating,” Emma shared.
The Teenage Cancer Trust provided emotional support and arranged fun activities to keep Billie’s spirits up. She also bonded with other young patients facing similar battles. On December 20, 2022, Billie received the news that her scans were clear — she was cancer-free and able to spend Christmas at home.
After being out of school for nearly two years, Billie attempted to return in September 2024, but struggled with cruel remarks about her appearance. Having lost weight and some of her hair, she chose to be home-schooled for a while. “I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognise myself,” she admitted.
Eventually, Billie regained her strength and confidence. Today, she is back in school and has even returned to modelling. She is one of the finalists in the upcoming Miss Teen Great Britain competition in Blackpool. “Being in the finals feels surreal,” she said. “It proves you can face the worst and still go on to do incredible things.”
Billie is also an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust’s #StillMe campaign, which raises awareness about how cancer treatments can affect body image. She hopes to inspire other young people facing similar challenges, saying: “Have confidence — you will feel like yourself again. Cancer doesn’t make you any less beautiful.”
🔹 Conclusion:
Billie Williams’ story is one of remarkable courage, resilience, and hope. From a devastating cancer diagnosis at just 13 to standing confidently as a Miss Teen Great Britain finalist, Billie has proven that strength can be found even in life’s darkest moments. Her journey not only inspires others facing similar battles but also highlights the importance of early detection, emotional support, and self-belief. Today, Billie is not just a survivor — she is a role model reminding young people everywhere that beauty, courage, and dreams can thrive even after the hardest fight.