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Reggie’s story

After months of worrying symptoms, Reggie’s mum and dad got the type of news every parent dreads. At just eight years old, Reggie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

His mum, Carly, shares their story.

It all began in September 2021 when Reggie started complaining about a backache while sitting on the sofa. At first, we thought it was just from the way he was sitting with his iPad. But over the following few weeks, he mentioned the pain a few more times. In early November, Reggie suddenly grabbed his head and said, “Mummy, that pain is in my head now”

After months of talking to medical professionals they were told the horrible news

In January we had to take Reggie to the hospital for a blood transfusion. At the hospital, doctors came in and out, asking questions. Three doctors then took us to a private room. I knew this was bad and remember the 20 steps to the room feeling like miles. That’s when life as we knew it changed. They told us, ‘I’m so sorry, we have found something in Reggie’s blood.’ My husband asked, ‘It’s cancer, isn’t it? That’s when life as we knew it changed.

Reggie’s treatment

We were transferred to GOSH and they explained the next steps, including an operation to put a port in Reggie’s chest for chemotherapy. It was heartbreaking to see him look so frail. Two days later, we found out Reggie was allergic to one of the chemotherapy drugs. But the doctors had a plan B: immunotherapy. For two months, Reggie wore a backpack that slowly delivered medicine through a line in his arm. To our delight, the immunotherapy started to work! Reggie is now two years into his treatment and doing well, but we still have away to go. Reggie’s bravery and positive attitude is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. He amazes us every day, and we cannot thank the hospital and all the amazing charities enough.

We’ve helped children with cancer for over 35 years thanks to amazing people like you

In this issue of your Every Step newsletter, we’re looking back over our 35 years of history and celebrating some of the key milestones. Our story began with one diagnosis, followed by another. In December 1986 Paul O’Gorman was given a devastating leukaemia diagnosis at age 14. His sister, Jean O’Gorman, was then diagnosed with breast cancer soon after. Both, tragically, lost their lives within months of each other. When Paul sadly passed away in 1987, his family made him a promise to help other children in the same situation.

Today we’re Children with Cancer UK. And we’ve kept that promise for 35 years.

Thanks to you, we can fund vital research projects that help to develop better treatments and improve survival rates

There are so many projects to celebrate, but there’s one in particular we’d like to highlight. In 2016, we funded an exciting new research project at the University of Edinburgh, led by Professor Steven Pollard. This investigated different types of childhood glioblastoma, a form of brain tumour. By 2021, the project had resulted in a fantastic breakthrough, which greatly enhanced our understanding of how aggressive brain tumours develop in children and why they occur in specific regions of the brain. Professor Pollard and his team found that the mutation of cancer cells in different areas of the brain influences how the tumour will develop, as well as how severe it will become. This was a significant research milestone because it enabled doctors to create more effective treatment plans.

Ethan and Kai’s story

Less than one year apart, he two brothers were diagnosed with leukaemia. Ethan was only 19 months old, and his twin, Kai, was two and a half when he was diagnosed. They both needed three years of chemotherapy and much of their childhood was spent in a children’s hospital. Both brothers have now made a full recovery.

This year, Kai, now 19 years old, ran the London Marathon for Children with Cancer UK and raised an amazing £2,416. Both Ethan and Kai have achieved amazing milestones and we look forward to celebrating their future successes.