For four-year old Nancy, Cancer Support UK’s Kid’s Kit provided a much-needed emotional boost and helps her cope with painful treatment for cancer. Now Nancy is supporting the Christmas Fill a Kit appeal.
Every year in the UK around 1,900 children will be diagnosed with cancer. Although survival for childhood cancers has increased significantly (1), the long term effects on a childhood cancer survivor can be significant, with the biggest impact on emotional and mental health (source: Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group CCLG).
“Cancer is a traumatic experience that affects both a child with a cancer diagnosis, as well as their entire family,” says Cancer Support UK CEO Mark Guymer. “This is why Cancer Support UK developed a cancer kit (in consultation with cancer patients) specifically for children to use in hospital while being treated.
“The Kid’s Kit is sent free of charge and contains toys, socks, a warmable ted and other items to help support the child while they are in hospital. We know from parental/child feedback that our Kid’s Kit gives children a huge emotional boost at a time when they need it most.
“Cancer Support UK receives no public funding and rely entirely on public donations for its work. This is why we are asking as many people as possible to help children with cancer, like Nancy, by getting behind our Christmas Fill a Kit campaign. We want to ensure that every child facing cancer in hospital this Christmas receives a Kid’s Kit. People can donate to the campaign by visiting the Fill a Kit page: https://cancersupportuk.org/christmas-kits/
Nancy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in May 2023 when she was just three years old. An only child, Nancy and her mum Lisa live with grandmother Sandra Hughes. They are extremely close as a family, so Nancy’s cancer diagnosis has affected them all.
Prior to diagnosis, Nancy was really poorly for around three weeks with frequent visits to the family’s GP to try and find out why she was so unwell.
Nancy’s grandmother Sandra recalls:
“We went to the doctor’s seven times and at one point we were told she had hay fever. Then, after a visit to Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, she was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where, after a bone marrow test, we were told Nancy had ALL.
Following diagnosis, the hospital gave Nancy an emergency blood and platelets transfusions. They then started her immediately on chemotherapy, steroids and antibiotics. She was in hospital for almost four weeks, but now visits weekly for her treatment.
Sandra says: “Nancy has made good progress with her ongoing treatment programme, both in hospital and at home. She even manages to attend school a couple of times a week when she’s able.
“Although she does miss her friends, Nancy never complains about anything and takes it all in her stride. The doctors are pleased with her progress and although she has a few hospital stays coming up, we are hopeful that at the end of December she will be able to receive maintenance treatment.
“Nancy was so excited to receive her Kid’s Kit from Cancer Support UK – she loved everything in the kit.
“She is currently writing a letter to Santa in the notebook from the kit. She adores the yo yo, which she thought was amazing, and tried the Minion socks on straightaway. The warmable bunny is also a firm favourite. Thank you so much for all her gifts.”
Nancy’s mum Lisa adds:
“When Nancy was first diagnosed I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it was true. Our whole lives changed. She was very poorly, suffering from frequent infections and extremely pale. Until the doctors told me that she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, I thought perhaps she just needed some iron tablets or vitamins. The hospital started treatment using steroids and chemotherapy straight away. Eventually her hair started to fall out, but for a while she wouldn’t let me cut it off. Finally Nancy allowed me to cut it and was heartbroken. So I cut mine off, too, so she didn’t feel alone.”
Mark Guymer continues:
“Some children will spend the festive season in hospital, unable to have the Christmas of their dreams, which is why sending as many Kid’s Kits out as possible is so important. We are appealing to everyone to support our Fill a Kit campaign by donating and helping a child just like Nancy, who is going through a tough time. Donors can choose to donate either an entire kit or can donate towards individual items in the kit. https://cancersupportuk.org/christmas-kits/