A 29-year-old furniture maker who survived cancer three times during his childhood will appear on our television screens this month.
Sam Ryan, who lives in Oxhey, will feature in Channel 4 show Mend it for Money, where Britain's best restorers compete against each other to give objects a new lease of life with high-end restorations.
Sam has never been one to shy away from a challenge and he's certainly faced more challenges than most in his young life.
Aged just three, Sam was diagnosed with leukaemia, and he relapsed three years later, spending his life in and out of hospital, missing some of the most crucial parts of his childhood.
Then aged 16, Sam fell seriously ill again and had to undergo life-saving surgery
Sam said: "After building up my life again and looking forward in life, I unfortunately fell ill in 2006 with a cancerous brain tumour.
"This was another huge setback in life, just as I was moving forward. I was set back years due to going in and out of the hospital again.
"At the time I was just about to study my AS level at school. The joy of life was pulled out from underneath me again with having cancer for the third time. I had some of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make."
Sam underwent surgery, which could have had fatal or life-changing consequences, but thankfully due to Sam's strength and determination, he survived the surgery and remarkably, now aged 29, is fit and well.
Ever since he was in secondary school, Sam had an interest in woodwork and he followed his passion by studying for a degree in furniture making and restoration at Buckinghamshire New University.
He then progressed onto the Princes Trust Enterprise Programme, which helped him set up his own business, and his experience with the trust culminated in Sam meeting the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in 2018.
Sam, who set up his furniture making and restoration business in 2013, and also volunteered with 9 Lives furniture charity in Rickmansworth, says he was "chuffed" to be given the opportunity to showcase his talents in Mend it for Money, with filming for the 20 episodes taking place in Glasgow.
Sam says he hopes his appearance on the show will inspire others who are facing difficult times.
He said: "I was absolutely over the moon to take part in the show. It was just after the first lockdown.
"This will hopefully inspire those who have had or are going through cancer treatment, and also difficult times, that life is worth fighting for and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
"I have put all of my efforts into this show and I hope that you enjoy watching it."
Mend it for Money starts on Channel 4 today (February 1) at 5pm and will be broadcast every weekday over the next four weeks.
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