MEET JAMES
Happy & energetic
Up until his fourth birthday our son James was a happy, energetic boy. He had a smile that would light up any room. But on his birthday he started to feel pain in his legs.
We assumed he had just pulled a muscle, but a couple of weeks passed and the pain didn’t go away. Eventually he was unable to walk. He kept getting ill too, and was falling asleep at preschool.
Our happy, energetic boy had gone.
WEEKS OF WORRY
Alder Hey
We saw a number of doctors and nurses at our local practice, out of hours service, walk in, and hospital, But none of them put the symptoms together and thought it could be anything sinister.
After weeks of worry, we ended up at Alder Hey. A quick blood test and we were told it could be one of two things:
He either had a septic hip, or it was Leukaemia.
WEEKS OF WORRY
Alder Hey
We saw a number of doctors and nurses at our local practice, out of hours service, walk in, and hospital, But none of them put the symptoms together and thought it could be anything sinister.
After weeks of worry, we ended up at Alder Hey. A quick blood test and we were told it could be one of two things:
He either had a septic hip, or it was Leukaemia.
HEART BREAKING
Leukaemia
A scan of the hip showed nothing untoward, so he was sent for a bone marrow test, and our worst fears were confirmed.
James was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in April 2018. We were given the heart-breaking news that there was a chance he may not survive the treatment.
GOOD NEWS
Remission
James started chemotherapy straight away, and 6 weeks later we were told the cancer had all but gone and he was in remission.
There were tough times along the way, but after almost 3 years of treatment he looks and behaves like a normal 7 year old boy. He is due to “ring the bell” in June 2021.
Our happy and energetic boy is back!
GOOD NEWS
Remission
James started chemotherapy straight away, and 6 weeks later we were told the cancer had all but gone and he was in remission.
There were tough times along the way, but after almost 3 years of treatment he looks and behaves like a normal 7 year old boy. He is due to “ring the bell” in June 2021.
Our happy and energetic boy is back!
FUNDRAISING
Saying thanks
I’ve taken part in a few fundraising events since James was diagnosed in 2018, but at the end of each one I’ve felt it wasn’t enough and that the next one needed to be bigger.
The plan was to go for the Ironman Triathlon, but COVID-19 made that impossible, so I needed something that could be done even if we were in lockdown.
ULTRA ENDURANCE
Inspired by Franny
Having followed the fundraising legend and ex footy pro Francis Benali’s IronFran attempt of 7 triathlons in 7 days, it felt like the obvious step up from the previous fundraising events.
I’m no professional sportsman, but with a little help from a group of friends I’m going to give it my best shot.
ULTRA ENDURANCE
Inspired by Franny
Having followed the fundraising legend and ex footy pro Francis Benali’s IronFran attempt of 7 triathlons in 7 days, it felt like the obvious step up from the previous fundraising events.
I’m no professional sportsman, but with a little help from a group of friends I’m going to give it my best shot.