“On a sunny April afternoon, we arrived in Ward 10 in Jimmy’s. Nothing can prepare you for walking into a children’s cancer ward for the first time.” Liz says.
In 2003, Liz’s daughter, Katherine was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Over 20 years later, Liz now volunteers at Candlelighters, wearing many hats and giving her time to support the fundraising team. Liz shares their story…
“Easter 2003 found our family in Harrogate hospital with our two-year-old daughter, Katherine, who was being treated for an infection. This was yet another unusual illness in a series over the previous few weeks.
Test after test was coming back with no conclusion as to the underlying cause of her infections until one morning we were taken into a room where the consultant told us Katherine had leukaemia, and we would have to go to St James’ Hospital in Leeds for treatment.
Wham! In the space of a few days we went from being a family of four, living life to the full, taking for granted our good fortune and health to one that was to face the next six months with our family fractured. One parent living at hospital, watching our daughter undergo brutal treatments, whilst the other tried to work and hold things together at home for Katherine’s elder brother, Tom.
Even though you are numb from the shock of your child’s diagnosis and exhausted from many sleepless nights spent in hospital, your senses are overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and smells you encounter.
More tests followed and Katherine was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, with five-year survival rates at around 30% at this time. Treatment started immediately, and we quickly found ourselves getting into the relentless cycle of chemotherapy, sickness, glimmers of improvement before a temperature spike would mean Katherine had to be rushed back into hospital.
Though it was over 20 years ago, some of the memories of our time in Jimmy’s (St James’ Hospital) remain very vivid, though fortunately, Katherine, being so young, remembers very little of her time in hospital.
The medical care for Katherine from nurses, doctors, nutritionists, and other hospital staff was outstanding and cured Katherine physically. But Candlelighters helped us as a family to survive this daunting period mentally.
They provided us with the emotional and other support which helped to make our stay in Jimmy’s more bearable: a playroom full of toys and playworkers to co-ordinate activities, Jolly and her Trolley – who brought sunshine and a smile to all on the ward, sibling events and short holidays in cabins at Bridlington and Filey – which gave us a chance to be a normal family for those brief periods between treatments when Katherine was well enough to leave hospital.
After Katherine started to recover, we started to raise money for Candlelighters as a thank you for all the help we received. Over the years we organised fairs, raffles and donations, but mainly raised money through running. Katherine’s dad, Paul, has run the Great North Run over 20 times and the London Marathon once in 2008, which even made the local news!
Back in 2004, Paul was only one of two people running the Great North Run for Candlelighters, and there was no Candlelighters tent – how things have changed! Twenty years later, Paul was accompanied by Katherine and Tom – a true family affair – and dozens of other people wearing the standout pink vest, and at the end there was the shelter of the charity tent with well-earned refreshments.
Over the years we’ve raised over £23,000 for Candlelighters. And Katherine, after six months of intense treatment, her AML went into remission and has not returned. She is now a senior research scientist developing cancer medicines for a large pharmaceutical company.
As a family we will always be indebted Candlelighters. We are honoured to have been part of its 50-year history and to have made a contribution to funds for vital research and improved support to children, young people and families who are affected by childhood cancer.”
Thank you so much to Liz for sharing your family story. Candlelighters is incredibly proud to have been able to stand side-by-side with families when they needed us over the last 50 years, and it’s all possible because of your support.
If you’d like to support families like Liz’s for years to come, you can donate here.
