Jack’s leukaemia story

Just a week after Jack’s fourth birthday he was diagnosed with leukaemia. Now aged six, he’s in the final stages of his three year treatment plan.

He was taken to the doctor after he appeared unwell, he had developed a limp and his complexion was pale. Jack had a number of tests and was referred to Sheffield Children’s where he was then diagnosed.

Jack’s mum said: “You start reading things online. I put cancer to the back of my mind. Then the oncologists told me and my legs nearly gave way. It was a massive shock, but almost relieving because we knew what it was.”

As soon as his treatment started, Jack began to improve and started to look healthier. After less than a month of intensive chemotherapy, he went into remission.

Jack is doing well in the final stages of his three year treatment and is currently undergoing maintenance therapy which includes daily oral chemotherapy. He also comes to Sheffield Children’s for treatment once a month from his home in Barnsley, which involves intrathecal therapy and steroids.

Before his most recent surgery, Jack had the chance to drive down to theatres in one of our Tesla cars. His mum described his excitement: “Usually we go to the theatre and he’s not fancying it but this time we went straight down in the car. The staff were great too, pretending to jump out of his way as he came through.” However, they might have been right to, as Jack tell us: “I nearly crashed into a bin.”

Mum said: “How lucky are we to have this nearby. The staff have been fantastic. We pass surgical staff who’ve met Jack once and they remember him. On the Oncology unit it’s so important to have the support of families who are going through similar journeys to you. You get to know families and the staff are part of that. PACT have been great too; organising events like days out and the Christmas party.”