Evan’s story: Young footballer ‘given his life back’ thanks to clinical research trial

To celebrate International Clinical Trials Day today (20 May) we spoke to 13-year-old Evan from Cleethorpes and his mum Lisa about how the opportunity to take part in a clinical research trial has transformed his life.

When Grimsby Town academy footballer Evan started to suffer from pain in his joints during the summer of 2022, his mum Lisa thought he just needed to rest.

Lisa explains: “Nothing we did was helping and his symptoms quite quickly got worse. He had to stop playing football, could only walk short distances and was struggling to get up and down the stairs. To see him so unwell and in so much pain all the time was utterly heartbreaking.”

After visiting his local hospital Evan was referred to Sheffield Children’s and was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) in December 2022. The main symptoms of JIA are pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, but it can also cause a rash, tiredness and nosebleeds.

While under the care of the specialist Rheumatology team at Sheffield Children’s, Evan’s consultant Dr Dan Hawley suggested taking part in a clinical research trial exploring a new treatment to help children like Evan.

“I was really nervous about the unknown of it all. What if it didn’t help or if Evan got worse? But we sat down as a family and spoke with the doctors and research nurses. They explained everything and answered all our questions, and we decided it was worth it.

“We are so glad we made that decision as the results have been absolutely incredible. Evan is back to playing football every week and is pain free. It’s given him his life back and we will be forever grateful to both the Rheumatology and Research teams at Sheffield Children’s.”

Evan’s treatment involves monthly visits to Sheffield Children’s from his home, over 70 miles away in Cleethorpes. He explained: “Every four weeks I go to Sheffield Children’s Hospital to have my injections, which make me feel better. I’m on a clinical trial and even though the injections hurt sometimes I’m really happy because it helps me be able to play football.

“My ambition is to be a professional footballer like my dad was. And I won’t let JIA stop me.”

Clinical trials are a vital piece in the puzzle of creating new treatments. They allow researchers to test new medicines or explore the use of existing medicines in different ways.

There are currently 300 research studies active at Sheffield Children’s dedicated Clinical Research Facility (CRF) as part of our commitment to creating a healthier future for children and young people.

We are also home to the only Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC) in the UK that is dedicated to the delivery of commercial clinical trials treating children and young people. The CRDC will see the expansion of the work of the CRF and means more children and young people will have greater access to cutting-edge treatments, that are often lifesaving, through participating in clinical trials.

Dr Hawley said: “Clinical trials help patients by giving them access to new treatments that might not be available yet. By taking part, they can benefit from the latest care and help us to find better ways to treat others in the future.

“It’s wonderful to see the impact this trial has had on Evan, enabling him to live his life to the full.”

Lisa added: “I would urge anyone given the chance for their child to take part in a clinical trial to approach it with an open mind. It has been life changing for Evan. We are so lucky that we were being treated in a research active hospital – otherwise we may not have had this opportunity.”

To find out more about research at Sheffield Children’s and how you and your child can get involved, visit www.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/research/