Families join to raise awareness of childhood cancer

But reality is that hundreds of parents have to hear those words as more than 100 children pass through Oxford Children's Hospital every year.

September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and a group of families have joined Oxford Children's Hospital Charity in backing the move to raise awareness.

Among them is the Hanlon family, from Headington in Oxford, who were dealt the devastating blow in 2013 when two-year-old Martha was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Mum Eve Hanlon said the family, including husband Andrew and eight-week-old son Patrick were on holiday in Dorset when Martha became unwell.

She said: "She had flu-like symptoms like a high temperature, she was crying a lot, then once we got to the cottage she'd got worse. She was very pale and you could see her veins."

The family rushed to a local surgery and, despite being sent home for the night after doctors found nothing wrong, were soon sent to hospital for more tests. It was then that they were dealt the 'heart-breaking' news on April 7.

Mrs Hanlon said: "Obviously it was a big shock for us all, and getting the diagnosis in Dorset we packed up everything straight away and we transferred straight to Kamran's Ward at the Oxford Children's Hospital."

The mum-of-two said Martha's intense chemotherapy started straight away and the youngster continued a course of treatment for the next two and half years.

She said: "It was mixed feelings because you would have the regimented path of treatment with chemotherapy which is where the vital research going into care comes in. It helped knowing the plan.

"But then you would have times of uncertainty when we had to wake Martha up at 1am and rush her to hospital because she had a high temperature and she have to stay for days until it had come down."

The Hanlon's said their family played a huge part in getting them through the difficulties, including Patrick, now six.

Mrs Hanlon said: "Our little gorgeous boy was our rock, he had to be so flexible and allowed me that normality when looking after him as well."

The family spent years going aback and forth from the hospital, regularly one parent staying overnight in the beds provided in the children's wards next to the poorly patients.

Mrs Hanlon said: "The thought of not having that option to stay, you couldn't do it.

"As a parent you are utterly heartbroken and the thought of not being beside your children every moment - it is just so important."

Not only does Mrs Hanlon put Martha's recovery, having finished treatment in 2015, down to her chemotherapy but the incredible work of doctors, nurses, and play specialists and especially the play room.

Martha is now an 'incredible' eight year old who has yearly check ups. The youngster looks back on her hospital time as 'legendary' inspired to one day become a nurse herself.

Another parent who dubbed the Oxford children's hospital a 'lifeline' through their family's cancer battle is Nicola Plumridge.

The parent from Bolter End, near High Wycombe, faced every parents worst nightmare when 18 month old Seren was diagnosed with Wilms Tumour.

After finding blood in the youngster's urine, tests found a 13cm tumour on her kidney and a few spots in her lungs.

Seren then faced 12 weeks of chemotherapy, having her kidney removed and then 34 weeks of chemotherapy.

Ms Plumridge said: "She was hooked up for three days - almost 80 hours - so she couldn't leave her stand, it meant everything to have the facilities to stay right beside her.

"It is nice to be able to stay and make friends with other families and the nurses. It is such an alien environment at first but quickly becomes your very own bubble of support."

Seren,age two, has just completed two weeks of radiotherapy and is waiting for further test results in two weeks.

Ms Plumridge added: "The Children's Hospital made it so much easier for us. It has been a lifeline when your whole world is falling apart."

Children of all ages are cared for at the hospital including 17 year old Elly Hall who was diagnosed with leukaemia in November 2018.

Mum Sarah Hall said: "This time last year [back pain] started a bit and just seemed to drag on. Doctors didn't know what was wrong as nothing showed up in her blood."

But eventually tests revealed the teenager had leukaemia and she was transferred straight to Children's Hospital.

Ms Hall said: "It had got so awful the pain and spasms, she could barely walk."

Elly went on to have numerous treatments including one as part of a trial and eventually a bone marrow transplant in Bristol.

She continues her recovery in Oxford where her mum says staff have been 'so supportive'.

She added: "It is almost like an other family, everyone is going through the same thing and it is always so nice coming back to the familiar faces."

Oxford Children's Hospital Charity works to support families and fundraising for research and vital equipment at the hospital.

Joe Baker, of the charity, said: "We are always inspired by the work, care and dedication from our staff on Kamran’s Ward.

"Each time we visit the ward we are left in awe of our brave young patients and their families who are going through such challenging times – but wanting to do something to say thank you for the care they / a loved one has received.

"Your support helps make a difference by creating bright and friendly areas, funding the latest medical equipment and providing specialist staff training across the Oxford Children’s Hospital and Children’s Ward at the Horton General Hospital."