A DEVOTED county family have raised the curtain on a fund-raising bid for the specialist children’s cancer unit at the Worcestershire Royal.
Vicky and David Fletcher have launched the JustGiving fund-raising page for the Children of Worcester Oncology Fund which is used to support families of children with cancer in the area, and fund additional training for hospital staff to improve services to children with cancer.
The couple were inspired to act after a recent treatment visit with daughter Izzy where they were treated to a ballet show from their consultant and one of the unit’s play specialists.
Dr Baylon Kamalarajan and Emma Mander’s efforts were captured on camera by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (below) and led to an appearance on BBC Breakfast.
Izzy was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2017, three days before her second birthday. She suffered treatment for more than two years, finally ringing the end of treatment bell in May 2019.
She was able to start school in September 2019, and life was getting back to normal when, shortly after COVID restrictions kept her out of school in April 2020, she developed pain in her legs.
Her devoted parents thought it may have been the result of ‘overzealous’ trampolining, but blood tests revealed this was her leukaemia relapsing.
Chemotherapy began again for the brave youngster but was halted in August when she developed an infection which put her in intensive care.
Having recovered, the family are delighted to see the leukaemia didn’t re-emerge during the delay in treatment and will soon find out the next stage of Izzy’s journey at both the Royal and at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
After the unexpected ballet bonus, dad David said they wanted to raise money to help other children undergoing treatment like Izzy.
“We have benefitted from the fund in the form of parent meet-ups, which are great for sharing stories and experiences,” he said.
“It makes whole having a child with cancer thing feel a bit more normal as well as kids Christmas parties and of course the occasional gift from the treat cupboard for Izzy when we have arrived at the hospital, late and unprepared following an untimely temperature spike.
“If her story or Emma and Dr Baylon’s dancing has touched you, please donate a few pounds. It will help children with cancer in Worcestershire.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/worcesterkidscancer for more.
When Ballet-mad Izzy came into our Children's Clinic for her cancer treatment, two of the team surprised her with a very special routine…
Huge thanks to Baylon & Emma for the lovely surprise, and well done Izzy for *literally* keeping them on their toes!#PuttingPatientsFirst pic.twitter.com/IvU1hG8MVG
— Worcestershire Acute NHS (@WorcsAcuteNHS) October 26, 2020
