A teenager from Reading diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia took centre stage at the Royal Albert Hall, as part of a Teenage Cancer Trust event.

Reuben Muston was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia at age 17 after an unstoppable nosebleed revealed his life-threatening disease.

On Monday, March 18, Reuben took part in a Teenage Cancer Trust event in London.

Each year, charity Teenage Cancer Trust holds a week of gigs at the iconic venue to raise vital funds for its work and takes the opportunity to also give young people like Reuben, who have experienced cancer or a similar disease, a VIP trip to remember.

Reuben was invited to London to watch rock legends The Who perform as part of the charity’s Ultimate Backstage Experience.   

Alongside a group of other young people from the region who have also received care and support from the charity, Reuben was treated to an exclusive tour of the iconic venue, including dinner backstage.  

In March 2022, Reuben, now 19, was boxing for the England squad when he found that after a match his nose would not stop bleeding.  

He went to bed thinking it would stop overnight, but when he woke up, his room was covered in blood, in his words it looked similar to a ‘murder scene’ and he rushed to A&E. 

The next day tests revealed he had Aplastic Anaemia. 

Reuben said: “My counts were that low that I would have been dead in a few weeks. In a way, it was lucky that I took a hit in the boxing match as if my nose hadn’t been bleeding so much I wouldn’t have gone to hospital.”

He faced gruelling treatment including a bone marrow transplant in March 2023, but was supported throughout by the Teenage Cancer Trust nurses and youth workers in the region, who work intensively with young people aged 13 to 24 to make sure they get the best possible care and support during and beyond treatment.

Now in recovery, during the Royal Albert Hall show, Reuben also got the chance to have his own moment in the spotlight when he was invited on stage, alongside peers, to take a selfie with the 5,000-strong crowd who lit their phone torches to show their support for young people with cancer.          

The aim of the Ultimate Backstage Experience is to offer young people the opportunity to connect with peers who have faced cancer or similar disease, boost their confidence post-treatment, and create lasting memories.

This year, with generous sponsorship from Domino’s, more than 100 young people, including Reuben, had the chance to participate.  

On his experience at the Royal Albert Hall, Reuben said:   “The whole experience was incredible; from touring the Royal Albert Hall, eating backstage, the bands performances, to going on stage.

"I had a great time. Going on stage was an extraordinary experience that I really enjoyed and something not many people can say they have done.

“It was really nice to meet others young people in similar situations and I have made some really great friends."