Speaking out about cancer: Sandeep’s story

December 2025

When Wolverhampton-based WAY member Sandeep saw a post on WAY’s Facebook group looking for people to share their stories for Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer campaign, she never thought her story would be chosen…

Sandeep and Mani had been married for just one year when he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma – an aggressive type of cancer that affects the bones.

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“He’d had treatment for a year and then we got the news he was cancer free,” said Sandeep. “We didn’t think it could come back.” 

But sadly, the cancer did come back 12 months later. “There was a tumour pressing on his spine. It came back with a vengeance. We didn’t even know it had returned until he was paralysed.”

“We kept saying, ‘you beat it once, you’re going to beat it again’. But in my heart, I had a feeling this was going to take him,” said Sandeep.

When doctors said treatment was no longer working, the moment was devastating. “It was like somebody just ripped my heart out and shredded it,” she said.

Remembering Mani

Mani died three years ago, at the age of just 38. On the anniversary of his death for the past two years, Sandeep has travelled to London to pay her respects to him in the Ever After Garden – a memorial garden set up to support cancer care and research. 

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This year, Sandeep wasn’t able to make it to London but instead she decided to honour Mani’s memory by sharing her story as part of Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer campaign. 

When Sandeep saw the request on WAY’s Facebook group on the week of Mani’s anniversary, she filled out her details and didn’t think much more about it. Then she got a call from the Channel 4 production team and had an initial chat. She had to go through several more interviews before she found out she had been chosen to feature in the Channel 4 campaign in December. 

When the call came to say she had been chosen, the emotions hit hard. “I was happy, but I was crying,” she said. “It’s my story – and if sharing it is going to help, then why not?”

Despite her nerves, Sandeep decided to speak openly in the interview – something she’d never normally do. “I’m not even one for videos on Instagram,” she said. 

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Walking into the studio was overwhelming. “There was a huge camera and I was shaking. For me, it felt massive. We filmed for about an hour – it’s amazing how they can edit it down into something so powerful.”

Watching back the 90 second clip, she felt hopeful it would reach people within her own Sikh community and beyond. Her message is clear: “If you feel unwell or have a pain that’s not shifting, go and get it checked. If something doesn’t feel right, remember these stories. Do something about it before it’s too late. It may give you a bit more time, which sadly Mani didn’t have.” 

“If it helps one person to share my story,” she added. “It’s worth telling.”