The Children’s Cancer Charity Candlelighters shares a message for everyone on 15 February.
We can all imagine how devastating it would be to hear the words “your child has cancer”, and the fear and turmoil this would bring to your life. Over 150 parents, grandparents, brothers and siblings across Yorkshire each year have their lives devastated by a childhood cancer diagnosis.
15th February is International Childhood Cancer Day, a day we can join in with others across the world to recognise the terrible impact of this disease and be more aware of its symptoms and the effects on a child and their family.
Leeds Children’s Hospital is one of only a few hospitals across the UK that have a specialist children’s oncology department. This means that children from across Yorkshire that have been diagnosed with cancer will be treated at Leeds Children’s Hospital. Local children’s cancer charity Candlelighters works alongside staff at the hospital and also provides support to families affected by childhood cancer out in communities right across Yorkshire. One family treated at Leeds is the Ellis family from nearby Tong.
Mum Jessica shares the story of her daughter Frankie’s cancer diagnosis for this International Day of Awareness.
“We are a family of six, living in Bradford – mum, dad, Julie-Anne, Frankie, Alfie and Reggie. In July 2022, our lives drastically changed. Frankie was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in her pelvis at just six years old, with which she spent six weeks in hospital before she was allowed home. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancerous tumour that develops on the body’s soft tissues. We never left her side for the first two weeks. She was so poorly, and everything seemed against her. The tumour had grown so big that it caused a lot of problems for her bladder, kidney and bowels; staying with Frankie for night and day was really tough on the other children, they were missing us and were really worried without understanding what was going on. Emotionally we were in bits, but we had to stay strong for Frankie.
Spending life on the ward is also tough financially. Frankie’s dad was made redundant in March. He was due to start a new job in August which had to be delayed. They were understanding, but this meant he wasn’t entitled to any sick pay or financial support, and I’ve been on sick from work since her diagnosis. Thanks to the generosity from friends, family, and Candlelighters financial grants, we have managed.
You never think a childhood cancer diagnosis would happen to your child. When Frankie’s symptoms initially started, I put them down to a virus she could have picked up at school – she was sick, had a stomachache, and then over time lost her appetite and had groin pains when a dark vein appeared down her left leg. I took her to the doctor a couple of times, but nothing was picked up on, even though she didn’t seem to get over the symptoms. When her stomach became really hard and distended, and I suspected constipation, I took her straight to A&E. I would urge all parents to be more aware and mindful of the different symptoms childhood cancers can cause.
Before Frankie’s diagnosis, we hadn’t had any experience of childhood cancer, apart from a colleague’s son being diagnosed a few years ago where the outcome wasn’t good. I immediately thought of them when we found out. We met Candlelighters on ward J31, when Frankie was isolated in her room for four weeks. They would bring her gifts to help relieve her boredom and cheer her up. We could go to the Pavilion, a Candlelighters building on-site at the hospital, and join in with Mum’s & Dad’s Groups and go for massages at The Square, Candlelighters Family Support Centre. We didn’t feel alone thanks to Candlelighters. They’d come in on a morning and make sure we were okay, and ask if we needed anything – we appreciated a friendly face after being awake most nights taking care of Frankie as it took a long time to get her pain under control.
Since we have been home, we have done two lots of fundraising for Candlelighters. The first was an event held at a friend’s house, where there were raffles, food, drinks, and a tombola, which altogether raised £1250. The second event was a run up Scammonden steps, with 48 people taking part, doing as many laps of the course as possible in three hours. We did 389 laps and raised £5700.
We also have a half-marathon booked in for May and we will be doing the Three Peaks and Total Warrior to raise more for Candlelighters! I think doing any sort of fundraising for the charity is worthwhile, we are very grateful for their help and support and are very lucky to have them in Yorkshire.”
Emily Wragg, Candlelighters CEO says “Our hearts go out to anyone affected by childhood cancer. Its effects can devastate families and communities and it is important to recognise this on International Childhood Cancer Day. We can also be proud that as communities across Yorkshire, we can and have provided much care and support to these children, teenagers and their families. Your donations and fundraising have meant that families have not had to face these incredibly difficult times alone. Despite the current cost of living crisis, people across Yorkshire have continued to give and we are truly thankful for this. Any act of kindness, no matter how small or large, really does make a big difference to a child and their family.”
To support the families of children with cancer, Candlelighters relies on generous donations from the community. If you’d like to support Candlelighters with a donation, you can do so here https://www.candlelighters.org.uk/
