Fighting childhood cancer. The greatest reason to give

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Patient stories

Finding out that your child has cancer can be the start of an uncertain and difficult time for families.
 
To try and help, a number of families have kindly offered to share their personal experiences.

Have you been affected by childhood cancer?

If you would like to share your story, please contact us by telephone on 020 7404 0808,  write to CHILDREN with CANCER, 51 Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JQ or email us with your details. Thank you.

Louisa Buttery

Isabelle Gore 19 April 2012

Louisa Buttery was only three weeks old when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Her parents Darren and Davina tell us their story.

"When Louisa was born we were overjoyed.

But our happiness was cut short. At just three weeks old, our baby girl was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Louisa spent her first six months at Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was extremely tough on us all.

Our other children, Charlotte, then four, and Eddie, who was just two, made frequent trips to see Louisa and keep her company.
... Read More
Categories Patient stories
Related Topics louisa buttery, patient story

Lex Stephenson

Isabelle Gore 19 April 2012

Four year old Lex was on a family holiday in Turkey when he fell suddenly and dramatically ill.   

Within 24 hours Lex was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and needed over three years of chemotherapy.

Lex's mother Lee tells their story:

"Lex was immediately admitted to a private hospital for emergency treatment before being flown back to the UK in a German Air Ambulance.

The plane was so small there was only room enough for Lex and me. Lex's Dad, Allan, followed some hours later on a charter flight and met us at St James'... Read More
Categories Patient stories

Jemma Mearns

Isabelle Gore 05 April 2012

Jemma was 10 months old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). 

Her recovery was long and arduous, with unknown long-term effects.

Jemma’s mum, Michelle, tells their story:

"We want to share our family’s story to help spread awareness of childhood leukaemia. We hope that one day no family needs to go through the trauma that still lives with my family.

The diagnosis

"My husband Robert and I are the proud parents of two wonderful girls – Robyn and Jemma.

When Robyn was just two and Jemma 10 months, our world we... Read More
Categories Patient stories
Related Topics jemma mearns, patient stories

Joshua Whitesman

Isabelle Gore 22 March 2012
Joshua was diagnosed with leukaemia at 18 months. Over three years of chemotherapy followed.

His father, Toby, tells their story:

"My name is Toby Whitesman and I’d like to tell you a little about my son, Joshua, and his battle with leukaemia.

Joshua's diagnosis

We live in Ashford in Kent. My wife Pippa and I have two lovely children, Amber, eight, and Joshua who has now turned five.

For the last four years, it has felt like the whole family has been fighting Joshua’s leukaemia every step of the way.

When Joshua was 18 months old, and Amb... Read More
Categories Patient stories

Sam Blair

Larry McCarthy 16 March 2012
Sam Blair was only two years old when he was diagnosed with leukaemia but his short life had already been blighted with frequent infections.

It was the symptoms of lethargy and excessive bruising, on top of this history of frequent infections, that alerted mum, Amanda, to the need for blood tests.

Sam’s dad Simon tells their story

"As a child, Sam was quite often ill and we were regular visitors to the local doctors surgery.

But after regular treatments of antibiotics for chest, throat and ear infections, we insisted on blood tests. My wif... Read More
Categories Patient stories

Scott Stevens

liz brown 15 March 2012
Scott Stevens was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer, when he was 12 years old.

Six months later, after an aggressive course of chemotherapy, Scott lost his right leg to cancer.

Now aged 21, Scott is a keen runner and competitive volleyball player, is in his third year of medical school and inspires many with his positive frame of mind.

Scott shares his story.

"I was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma when I was 12 years old. The tumour was in my tibia (or shinbone) on my right leg.

Being diagnosed with cancer was a ... Read More
Categories Patient stories

Hollie O'Brien

Isabelle Gore 13 March 2012
Hollie O’Brien was only four years old when she passed away, just four weeks after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Hollie's grandmother, Wendy, shares her story with us:

“Hollie was a wonderful, vibrant four-year old who wanted to get as much done as she possibly could every day of her short life.

It all started in early 2002. Hollie had a very bad attack of the chicken pox – you couldn’t put a pin between them. She never really regained full health after that, suffering from throat infections and sore lips.

The last out... Read More
Categories Patient stories
Related Topics hollie o'brien, patient story

Hollie Evans

Isabelle Gore 28 February 2012

Hollie has Down’s syndrome. In July 2009, she was diagnosed with leukaemia at just 14 months old.  Hollie’s mum tells us her story.

A long diagnosis

"When she was four months old, Hollie had little pin prick like spots all over her body. We took her back and forth to the doctors. As Hollie has always been constipated, they said these spots were a straining rash.

Months down the line the spots still hadn’t gone and more were appearing. Again we took her to the doctors and they sent us home with the same reason.

When Hollie was a year old, s... Read More
Categories Patient stories

George Hawkins

Isabelle Gore 17 February 2012

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, we often forget how this affects their brothers and sisters.

When she was seven years old, Mary Hawkins was told the tragic news that her younger brother George had leukaemia.

George was four years old.

Mary tells their story:

“April 2002, I was so excited! I had a baby sister! After having three brothers, I was really pleased to have a sister. A couple of days later Mum brought her home. My family and I were all so happy.

However, my brother, George, hadn't been feeling well for a while, so Mum to... Read More
Categories Patient stories

Ross Anderton

liz brown 14 February 2012
At just 18 months old, Ross was diagnosed with orbital rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare soft-tissue cancer that developed in his eye.

His mum Lesley tells their story.

"In early June 2009, we had noticed that Ross, our 18 month old son, had a puffy area on his lower right eye.  We took him to our GP who said it was probably a blocked duct and would refer Ross to the eye pavilion for clarification.

Five weeks later, Ross’ eye started to get bigger.

I called our GP surgery to confirm that Ross had been referred to the eye pavilion but the waiting ... Read More
Categories Patient stories
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51 Great Ormond Street
London WC1N 3JQ
Tel: 020 7404 0808
Fax: 020 7404 3666

Registered Charity Number: 298405
Inaugurated by Diana, Princess of Wales

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