Student who beat cancer dies two weeks after flu-like symptoms

A 20-year-old student who beat cancer has died two weeks after developing flu-like symptoms, his family said. Josh Abbott-Littler, from Wigan, died on June 26 at The Christie cancer hospital in south Manchester from sepsis linked to treatment-induced acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare and aggressive form of leukemia that can follow certain cancer therapies.

Abbott-Littler was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2023 and underwent chemotherapy and proton beam therapy at The Christie. In May 2024, he rang the bell to acknowledge the end of treatment and spoke of being the first in his family to complete a long battle with cancer while he was in his first year studying mathematics at Lancaster University. After a period of remission, he began to experience chest pains and was readmitted to hospital, where he was treated for pneumonia and sepsis. He was later diagnosed with treatment-induced acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare and aggressive form of leukemia typically linked to previous cancer therapies. He was re-admitted to The Christie, where he died from sepsis caused by a bacterial infection.

The family has described Josh as perfectly fit and well before this summer, noting the sudden neck growth that led to his Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis. His aunt, Rebecca Hughes, recalled that he had an aptitude for learning and a wide range of interests, including chess and music. She described him as an intellectual who excelled academically, attending Holy Family primary school and St Edmund Arrowsmith, and leaving school with top grades. At the time of his cancer journey, he was a first-year student at Lancaster University, where he balanced studies with a love for music and festivals and a busy social life with friends.

The death has brought grief to a family that had celebrated a triumph over cancer only months earlier. Hughes said the initial elation after Josh rang the bell in May 2024 was followed by a rapid reversal of fortune, as he fell ill again during the following summer. The family has begun fundraising in Josh’s memory for Young Lives vs Cancer, planning a nine-hour walk from Wigan to Southport to raise both funds and awareness for the charity that supports children with cancer and their families. The Just Giving page set up for the event has quickly surpassed its target, bringing in nearly £3,000 in donations in a short span of time. In a message on the page, the family described Josh as a devoted older brother who loved gaming and music, played guitar, and traveled to gigs whenever possible.

The Young Lives vs Cancer charity has been a steady presence at The Christie, providing practical and emotional support to Josh and his family through the course of his treatment and after his passing. His mother and two younger brothers have been supported by staff and volunteers, and the family says the charity’s ongoing solidarity has helped them navigate the toughest days. Hughes said the fundraiser is a way to channel their grief into something positive and to keep Josh’s name alive in the community. The family hopes the walk can become an annual tribute and that it will help other families facing similar battles.

Josh Abbott-Littler’s case underscores the risks associated with cancer treatment, including the possibility of treatment-related acute myeloid leukaemia. AML is a rare, aggressive form of leukemia that can emerge after chemotherapy or radiation and can complicate recovery even after a cancer appears to be in remission. Health professionals emphasize that such cases are uncommon and that advances in cancer treatment have increased survival rates for Hodgkin lymphoma, though late effects and secondary conditions remain a concern for survivors.

The family’s decision to publicize Josh’s story and to organize the fundraiser reflects a broader effort to support families dealing with the long arc of cancer treatment and its aftermath. It also highlights the role of charitable organizations that accompany families through diagnosis, treatment, remission, and bereavement, providing resources, counseling, and financial assistance when needed. As the community remembers Josh, supporters online and in the local area continue to donate, share memories, and rally around the cause that mattered most to him: helping others navigate cancer with courage, resilience, and hope.