At just six years old, a leukaemia diagnosis could have dimmed anyone’s light but for Khianna Lucas-Young, it became the spark that lit a lifetime of advocacy, horses, and hope.

In this episode of Leadership Conversations, I welcome the unstoppable Khianna Lucas-Young. Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just six, enduring two and a half years of chemotherapy, a heartbreaking relapse at twelve, and emerging as a national equestrian champion, fundraiser, and youth advisor to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Khianna’s story is one of courage, humour, and unfiltered wisdom.

We explore turning personal battles into advocacy, the power of being heard as a young patient, and why mental health support must run alongside physical care.

What You’ll Learn

- Patient-Led Change: How Khianna’s lived experience is reshaping paediatric policies - simpler access, open communication, and parity between physical and mental health.

- Resilience Redefined: From relapse to riding triumphs, why knowing what to expect and feeling in control can transform the hardest journeys.

- Hope in Action: The three big lessons Khianna wants every healthcare professional to hearfrom catching the “mental volcano” early to removing hoops for families in crisis.

Khianna’s voice is a radiant reminder that leadership isn’t about age or title - it’s about turning adversity into advocacy and proving that even the youngest patients can light the way forward.

Connect with Healthcare Leadership Conversations

Instagram: instagram.com/healthleadershipconversations

LinkedIn (Dr. Mo Akindolie): linkedin.com/in/dr-mo-akindolie

Website: healthcareleadershipconversations.com

Healthcare Leadership Conversations is produced by Urban Podcasts.