Team Tanja for ACC

In March 2020, right at the start of the pandemic, mine and my family’s lives were completely turned upside down when I was diagnosed with a rare form of salivary gland cancer - Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC)- in my larynx. The only option to save my life was major life changing surgery to have a total laryngectomy (the removal of my vocal cords), followed by a brutal 7 weeks of chemo-radiotherapy. ACC is however difficult to cure with surgery and radiotherapy and has a high risk of recurrence even after successful treatment. In late 2023 I was given the devastating news that my cancer had metastasised to my liver, spine and pelvis and was incurable. Even though I knew it would come back one day, nothing can really prepare you for the reality of hearing those words.

I was lucky enough to be able to have more targeted radiotherapy, which my tumours responded well to and stabilised my cancer. However, in March 2026, I was told that I had five new tumours in my liver, and there are now no other treatment options. Knowing that my cancer is growing again, and that this time there is nothing we can do to try and slow it down and stabilise it, is quite a scary and unknown place to be. One hope is that there may, at some point, be a trial for new treatment options - but due to the rarity of this type of cancer, there is very little funding available for research. 

I’ve decided to channel my energy into raising some much needed funds for Salivary Gland Cancer Uk and the Ella project, two charities doing vital, world leading research to better understand salivary gland cancers including ACC to develop new treatments, extend lives and improve care.

Together with a group of family and friends I’m taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on Saturday 19th September 2026. Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the absolute world to me.


Thank you so much for your support.