Every year, February 4th marks World Cancer Day, a day to raise awareness about cancer, in the hopes to encourage its prevention, detection and treatment.
World Cancer Day is an important time to gather and show our support for the children and their families affected by cancer. Every year, around 150 families across Yorkshire receive the terrible news that their child has cancer.
Candlelighters is there to support families as they go through the most difficult times in their lives. For families like Isla’s, who sadly died of cancer, World Cancer Day helps to raise awareness of the impact of childhood cancer and the organisations, like Candlelighters, that can support them.
Isla was just five years old in 2019 when she was diagnosed with Wilms tumour, a type of kidney cancer in children.
One Saturday morning, Isla’s parents noticed a lump on her side. They were sent to the children’s oncology department, where they received the devastating news that she had cancer.
The diagnosis had a huge impact on Isla and her whole family, from mum Rachel and dad Matt to her little brother Max, who was almost two at the time.
Rachel said, “There were no symptoms, just this lump that appeared. It was a nightmare. Our world just got ripped apart, and you think life just isn’t fair.”
Isla began her treatment, but the cancer continued to spread around her body. “Despite everything Isla was going through, she was so resilient; whatever treatment they said she needed, she never moaned,” Rachel said.
From the time Isla was diagnosed, Isla and her family received support from Candlelighters. Our Family Support Team ensured that Isla had fun whenever she was in hospital, and Isla and her family also attended many of the peer support groups we run, where Isla made many new friends.
“She was a fun, loving, amazing little girl.” Rachel says.
Isla defied the odds. Despite being told she wouldn’t walk again and would only live two to three weeks, she continued to walk and continued to make many precious memories with her family over the next 16 months.
The whole family made treasured memories on a special holiday together at Center Parcs, provided by Candlelighters. “We went swimming every day, did bike rides, we did everything. Whilst we were there, we didn’t think about it as much, all you were bothered about was having fun. The holiday meant everything. That’s all we’ve got now, those memories.”
In July 2022, Isla was feeling more unwell, and her family took her to the hospital, where they were given the devastating news that Isla had three brain tumours. There was nothing more that could be done.
Isla died from her cancer at the age of eight, less than three years after her diagnosis.
Candlelighters has been by the family’s side throughout their journey, helping them to create valuable memories and supporting them since Isla’s death.
“We now realise how lucky we were having Candlelighters. We’ve spoken to people from other hospitals who don’t have the support you do at Leeds,” Rachel says.
You can watch Isla and her family’s story in the video below. Isla’s parents, Rachel and Matt, hope the video will raise awareness of the impact of childhood cancer and spur people on to raise valuable funds for Candlelighters.
Isla's Story
This World Cancer Day Candlelighters is raising awareness of childhood cancer and encouraging the public to consider donating towards, or fundraising for, families struggling with a childhood cancer diagnosis.
Learn more about what Candlelighters do, and how you can make a difference for children this World Cancer Day.
