Hannah was 18 in 2005 when suffering a seizure at home in Haydock, St Helens, with doctors discovering it was a glioblastoma aggressive brain cancer needing 30 sessions of radiotherapy and seven months of chemo.
But afterwards her future dreams were shattered as the tumour had damaged her pituitary gland leaving medics to warn she could never conceive, at its hormones control the reproductive system.
In 2015 while exploring adoption she felt unwell so went for a scan which surprisingly revealed she was pregnant with twins, her son Thomas and daughter Alice.
Now eight years on her whole family are thanking The Christie in Manchester who treated her by joining in The Christie Charity’s fundraising ‘Festive Dash’ in Heaton Park on 26th November, to fundraise for the hospital.
Proud mum Hannah, 36, said: “Although when growing up all I wanted was to be a mum; being told at 19 I couldn’t get pregnant naturally was not my priority – beating this horrible cancer was!
“But as I grew a little older, and the cancer was at bay, being a mum was at the forefront of my mind again.
“Adoption was definitely the way forward for us, as I knew if we tried and failed to conceive, I would lay the blame on myself.”
Recalling the scan years later that revealed she was pregnant Hannah – now married to Mike Hill in Wigan – explained she had one as she had been feeling unwell and suffering a range of symptoms.
Going to check it out and fearing the worst she said: “I remember the scan well, there was a trained midwife that was practising scanning and a consultant training her.
“They explained to me, before the scan, that they would leave the room to discuss the findings and then come and tell us the results.
“She began to scan me, looking at the screen and at each other, we feared the worse – I was not supposed to get pregnant, so a happy scan was not expected.
“They left the room and entered back within seconds. The midwife said ‘So, Hannah and Mike, here is heart beat one…(pause) and here is heartbeat two!! My husband almost fainted and I cried with happiness.”
Growing up in Haydock St. Helens, with parents Carol and Peter Owen, Hannah was just 18, when her life took an unexpected turn.
She experienced a sudden seizure and was transported to Wigan Royal Albert Infirmary, where she remained for two nights.
A CT scan was arranged for the following Monday, and on the way back from the scan, her mum Carol, received a call requesting a return visit for an MRI scan.
Two weeks elapsed before receiving the devastating diagnosis: Hannah had a brain tumour.
The following three weeks were a blur of medical appointments, consultations at Salford Royal Hospital, and meetings with Dr Rao at The Christie hospital in Manchester.
On September 27, 2006, just two days before her 19th birthday, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the tumour, and it was during this procedure a glioblastoma was discovered, which is an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Hannah endured 30 sessions of intense radiotherapy, followed by seven months of chemotherapy with a trial drug at The Christie.
It was during this period that she received the news that, due to the damage to her pituitary gland, she would not be able to conceive a child naturally.
In May 2007, Hannah went for another scan, and to her astonishment, it revealed the tumour had disappeared. She continued chemotherapy for two more months and was told she was cancer free in July 2007.
The following year Hannah embarked on an adventure to Australia with her sister and friends, where she met her future husband Mike Hill at a rugby league match.
Three years later, they got married and were offered hormone treatment to assist Hannah in conceiving, but she declined and opted to explore adoption.
But a few months later, Hannah began to feel unwell and after experiencing various symptoms. When Hannah and Mike went to the hospital together, to their surprise a scan revealed not one but two heartbeats!
Against the odds, Hannah is now the proud mother of twins – a son Thomas and daughter Alice both now aged 8 years old.
Now as a thank you to the cancer hospital that saved her life and allowed her to become a mum, Hannah will be taking part in The Christie Charity’s fundraising ‘Festive Dash’ in Heaton Park on Sunday 26th November.
She will be joined by her mother Carol Owen, sister-in-law, Sophie Heyes and her miracle twins Thomas and Alice who are 8yrs old. It is a 5K, walk, jog, or run where participants dress up in festive costumes.
Lindsey Farthing from The Christie Charity said: “Hannah’s story is incredibly inspiring. It really highlights the importance of the work of The Christie hospital and the role The Christie Charity plays in ensuring patients are offered the very best and latest cancer treatments.
“We’re delighted that Hannah and her family will be joining us for our Festive Dash. It promises to be a fantastic event!”
* To donate to The Christie visit – https://www.christie.nhs.uk/the-christie-charity/donate