Leukaemia

The documentary was originally released in 2023 but is now available on HBO Max, NOW and more. It’s left many fews with “goosebumps” after watching the “haunting” ending

It can be tricky deciding which documentaries to devote your time to, especially with so much choice on offer. But an “unforgettable” documentary has earned praise for its emotional depth and “haunting”, chilling conclusion that lingers with audiences long after the final credits.

There’s an abundance of thought-provoking, powerful and compelling documentaries available across numerous streaming services like NOW, Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and beyond. Those seeking greater insight into our world and the cosmos can indulge in the various David Attenborough-led programmes like Life on Earth, Planet Earth and countless others.

True crime devotees have no shortage of options, with the likes of Making a Murderer, Girl in the Picture, Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story, and plenty more capturing global audiences.

But for those yearning for something slightly different, a 2023 documentary currently streaming on HBO Max might prove the ideal solution.

Lots of telly fans head to social media while searching for their next marathon viewing session and popular TikTok content creator Luke Ecclestone, who shares content online as Eccy Reviews, has emerged as a trusted resource for many audiences.

Luke has accumulated hundreds of thousands of followers across social media where he offers his thoughts and analysis on various films and television programmes.

What is 2023’s Daniel about?

In a recent video uploaded to TikTok, he highlighted the 2023 documentary, Daniel, which chronicles the life of Daniel Northcott, who started filming his life from just seven after acquiring his dad’s video camera.

Luke began: “You need to cancel whatever you [were] planning on watching tonight because I’ve just gone and found you the perfect documentary to go and watch.

“It is emotional, it will send shivers down your spine, and you genuinely never will forget the ending.”

He continued: “The documentary you need to see is called Daniel. Now, this is available on HBO Max and if you’re someone who’s seen it, you’ll know exactly why I’m talking about it.

“[This documentary] follows Daniel, who at a young age is given a film camera. He begins to document his whole entire life into his 20s, when he begins to explore the whole world.”

However, circumstances soon shifted dramatically for Daniel.

Luke explained: “He becomes a teacher in Asia until one day, he goes into this Mayan cave, where he is drawn to this rock.

“He decides he wants to take it home, but he is advised not to because of the bad spirits, etc, etc. However, after the warnings, he begins to take the rock home.

“And three months later, he is diagnosed with leukaemia. Now, he begins to document his journey with cancer.

“It is very emotional, it is very personal, it will definitely bring a tear to your eye. When he begins to remember about this rock, he cannot find it – and it becomes a documentary that is super entertaining, but emotional.

“Genuinely, when you get towards the end of this documentary, you will never, ever forget what happens. So make sure you go and head over to HBO Max – go and check out Daniel.”

How did viewers react to Daniel?

In the comments section, fellow TikTok users were eager to voice their opinions. One person said: “It’s absolutely brilliant but very haunting.” Another said: “Best documentary.”

A third commented: “Just watched it on Sky Docs, wow! One of the most powerful documentaries I’ve seen for a long time, good shout.” While a fourth said: “Daniel documentary absolutely broke me and [I] get goosebumps every time I think of that ending.”

Someone else shared: “This was such a bittersweet watch.” And another viewer added: “I can confirm, the ending gave me the shivers. Wow!”

Daniel is available to stream on HBO Max via NOW.

Jet2 has issued an important travel insurance alert for passengers that affects anyone with these common health conditions

Jet2 has issued a travel alert to passengers about an important declaration they must make, or they could face ‘rejection’. It comes as millions of flight seats are set to depart from UK airports during the six-week summer break as Brits make the most of the school holidays.

As exciting as it can be to go on holiday, plans could easily be ruined if certain documents aren’t filled out correctly – including travel insurance. Sorting travel insurance as soon as you book a holiday is crucial, as it is not just for medical emergencies abroad, but for protecting your upfront investment from day one.

It’s important to declare all health conditions when you’re buying travel insurance. This is because standard policies usually don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, and if you don’t mention them, you could lose your coverage entirely.

Jet2 reiterated this point in a social media alert posted on X this week. The popular UK airline told passengers: “Going away this summer? Declare your medical conditions when you buy travel insurance – it could save you thousands. If your details aren’t up to date, your claim could be rejected.”

Medical conditions can include, but are not limited to:

• Heart conditions/stroke
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Respiratory conditions (such as asthma)
• Mental health conditions
• Any form of cancer

For passengers with common health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, declaring them is vital as these conditions are major risk factors for heart and metabolic issues. Insurers typically see them as directly related to serious and expensive medical emergencies.

Even if your health is stable and controlled with medication, these conditions are still seen as serious warning signs for possible health problems. If you don’t disclose them, your emergency medical coverage could be completely void, and you would be responsible for hospital costs that could easily amount to tens of thousands of pounds.

A statement on the Gov.uk Travel Aware page explains: “You must declare all pre-existing medical conditions when buying travel insurance. If you already have cover, you should check that your list of medical conditions is updated before each trip abroad.

“Failure to do this could mean your claim is rejected if you have a medical emergency while travelling. You must be honest about any medical conditions you have, to avoid risking a big bill. Check your policy to see what you need to declare.”

It added: “A British national was hospitalised and admitted to intensive care following a stroke while abroad. The insurance provider refused to cover the medical costs after it emerged the individual had not declared a previous stroke. As a result, the family was left to meet significant medical expenses.”

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

According to Jet2, any of the following medical conditions from which you have suffered or received medical advice, treatment (including surgery, tests, investigations by your doctor/consultant /specialist) or prescribed drugs or medication in the last five years include:

1. Any cancer condition (including leukaemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and any type of skin cancer)
2. Any heart-related or blood circulatory condition (including high blood pressure and high cholesterol)
3. Any diabetic condition
4. Any neurological condition (including stroke, brain haemorrhage, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and dementia)
5. Any breathing condition (including asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
6. Any renal, kidney or liver condition
7. Any psychiatric or psychological condition (including anxiety, stress and depression)
8. Any chronic condition that can be controlled but not cured (including back pain, Crohn’s, diverticular and coeliac disease and ulcerative colitis)

And/or any other medical condition for which you have been prescribed medication or which you have received or are waiting to receive treatment (including surgery, tests, or investigations) within the last 12 months.

EastEnders’ Denise Fox, whose symptoms began with fatigue, will discover she has acute myeloid leukaemia following a bone marrow biopsy – Yvonne Gabriel knows exactly how she feels

EastEnders’ Denise Fox is all alone today when she receives the shattering news that she has blood cancer. While partner Jack Branning gears up for the upcoming World Cup, Denise, whose symptoms began with fatigue, will discover she has acute myeloid leukaemia following a bone marrow biopsy.

And Yvonne Gabriel, 58, will know exactly how she feels. The retired deputy head teacher was also by herself when told she had AML, in July 2018. She says: “It was such a huge shock. I wrongly thought adults couldn’t get leukaemia. The whole thing was a blur. But I remember the doctor saying it was treatable and I hung on to those words for the whole of my cancer journey.”

Yvonne went back to her home in Wallington, Surrey, and told her civil partner Annette, 63, a lawyer, and daughter Leanne, 38, a graphic designer, the awful news. She recalls: “My partner and daughter kept reiterating that the cancer was treatable and curable.

“I am usually the person that looks after people so it was really hard to feel I was causing the upset. They held themselves together for me.” EastEnders worked closely with the charity Blood Cancer UK on Denise’s storyline, starting today on World Blood Cancer Day, which in many ways mirrors Yvonne’s.

Yvonne and Denise, played by Diane Parish, 56, are both Black and, according to the charity, Black or mixed-race blood cancer patients with leukaemia have only a 37% chance of finding a 10/10 matched unrelated stem cell donor, compared to 72% for white patients.

Yvonne began treatment in Sutton’s Royal Marsden Hospital within days of diagnosis. She had three courses of intensive chemotherapy, requiring hospital stays, and finished that November. She says: “It is fantastic that EastEnders are running this storyline. It might mean viewers watching it get help if they have symptoms or even understand a little more what people with blood cancer are going through.”

Yvonne also recommends staying active, as it helps the body to cope with the harsh treatment. She adds: “I lost my hair and if Denise has chemotherapy this will probably happen to her. I was very emotional on the day I shaved it.” But she adds: “It will come back and it’s a sign the treatment is working. You can adorn yourself in different ways – wear jewellery or colours that make you feel like you.”

Yvonne has now trained to do massage therapy after benefiting from it herself as a patient. She says: “It was life-changing. It helped me physically and emotionally.”

Matthew White, director at Blood Cancer UK, says: “Many people with blood cancer have to visit their GP multiple times before they are diagnosed. Seeing blood cancer spotlighted on such a popular programme like EastEnders is a powerful platform that can help make a ‘hidden’ cancer more visible.”

*Blood Cancer UK provides trusted advice for people with blood cancer and funds research into better and kinder treatments that will transform lives. bloodcancer.org.uk