Our World | A Journey of Strength, Courage and Hope

This month marks both Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and a significant milestone for one of our colleagues at RS, Angel Gold , whose son Nathan is bravely battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). In honour of the month’s focus on raising awareness, the Our World team sat down with Angel, who agreed to share her deeply personal experience with us, highlighting not only the resilience of her son but also the critical importance of raising awareness about childhood cancer.

“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s also two years since my son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at the age of 3,” Angel recalls. "He had first fallen ill in April 2022, and spent the next six months in and out of hospital. They did test after test, but couldn’t find anything. Even bone marrow tests, which are the usual method of diagnosis, didn’t show his cancer."

As a result Angel and her family endured months of uncertainty, as doctors struggled to find the source of Nathan’s mystery illness.

However, one dedicated doctor at their local hospital made a pivotal decision that changed everything. “We were very lucky that we had an amazing doctor who got Nathan a full body MRI, which showed all of his lymph nodes were inflamed and they suspected Lymphoma. We were transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and within a week, they had fully diagnosed him,” she explains. This breakthrough led to immediate action – Nathan had a central line fitted and began chemotherapy. It was the beginning of an arduous journey, but it was a relief to finally have answers.

The initial prognosis for Nathan’s treatment was half a year, but the path was not straightforward. “Frontline treatment should have taken 6 months, but due to complications in reaching remission, it took 12 months,” Angel shares. In a heartbreaking turn last September, Nathan faced another serious setback. “In September 2023, he was rushed into intensive care with Pancreatitis caused by one of the medications he was taking. It was a reminder that the treatments for childhood cancer are the same as adult treatments, and they are so harsh on growing bodies.”

For Nathan and Angel’s family, the fight against childhood cancer has not only been a battle against the disease but also against the devastating side effects of treatments designed for adult patients. These aggressive therapies often come with long-term consequences. “We still have 6 months of treatment to go, and lifelong side effects to deal with,” Angel says, adding that despite the ongoing challenges, this September brings a glimmer of hope: “This September, my son started year one at school, and is thriving.”

Though childhood cancer remains rare, accounting for only 1% of all cancer cases, the reality is that the outcomes can vary dramatically depending on the type. For example, the survival rate for certain forms of leukaemia can be as high as 95%, but for others, like some brain tumours, it can be tragically low or even 0%.

In the face of such statistics, organizations like the Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia Group are leading the charge in funding research to develop treatments that are less toxic and more tailored to young, growing bodies. Meanwhile, charities like It’s Never You focus on providing essential support to parents and families navigating the daunting world of childhood illness.

Angel’s story underscores how critical it is to be aware of the symptoms of childhood cancer. While it may be rare, the importance of early detection cannot be overstated. Some of the main symptoms to watch for in children include:

• Unusual lump or swelling
• Unexplained paleness and loss of energy
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Ongoing pain in one area of the body
• Fever

For Angel and Nathan, the journey has been long and filled with challenges, but their story is also one of resilience and strength. As we recognise Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, let’s take inspiration from families like Angel’s who continue to fight with courage, and let’s commit to supporting ongoing research and advocacy to improve outcomes for all children affected by cancer.

Together, we can help ensure a brighter, healthier future for every child.

You can find out more about the charities and organisations mentioned in this article by clicking on the below links.

Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia Group: https://www.cclg.org.uk/ It’s Never You: https://itsneveryou.com/