Printed on her boots that day was a date she says she will never forget — November 4, 2022 — the same day she completed her final round of chemotherapy after battling burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
The England international revealed that the words “cancer free” were also written beneath the date, serving as a reminder of the difficult journey she had overcome before finally achieving her dream of representing her country.
Balogun’s life changed dramatically in 2022 shortly after she moved from Wasps to Bristol ahead of the new rugby season. While settling into a new city and preparing for pre season training, she discovered a lump in her neck.
At just 24 years old, she was still adjusting to her new environment when doctors confirmed months later that she had cancer. The diagnosis came before she even had the chance to make her first appearance for Bristol Bears.
According to Balogun, everything happened quickly after the diagnosis. She began treatment less than a week later, leaving little time to fully process the shocking news.
She recalled being told to pack a bag for a hospital stay and, in a moment she now laughs about, she even included her rugby kit because part of her still believed she would continue training immediately after treatment.
Looking back now, she admitted that the decision reflected how difficult it was for her to fully accept the reality of her condition at the time, as her mind remained focused on rugby despite the seriousness of the illness.
What followed was an exhausting battle involving three rounds of intensive chemotherapy. The treatment left her dealing with several painful side effects including hair loss, severe fatigue, mouth ulcers, weakened immunity, frequent illness, and blood transfusions.
Beyond the physical struggle, Balogun said the emotional toll proved equally difficult. Having recently relocated to Bristol, she found herself without close friends or family nearby during one of the toughest periods of her life.
She explained that the experience often felt isolating as she had to rely on people she had only recently met while trying to cope mentally and physically with treatment.
Although she completed chemotherapy in late 2022 and was officially declared cancer free in January 2023, returning to normal life was not as straightforward as she had hoped.
Balogun admitted that losing her hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes deeply affected her confidence and sense of identity, especially as a professional athlete. She also experienced noticeable weight gain during recovery, which added to the emotional adjustment she faced after treatment.
According to her, surviving cancer was only part of the journey. Rebuilding her confidence, rediscovering herself, and adjusting mentally after chemotherapy became another battle entirely.
Today, her England debut stands not only as a sporting milestone but also as a powerful symbol of resilience, strength, and survival.
