Patient stories

Coping with the diagnosis of leukaemia and the subsequent treatment and uncertainties is extremely difficult for children and their families.

Leukaemia affects each child and their family in different ways.

Below are the stories from families who have kindly offered to share their experiences to help others understand what it’s like to live with leukaemia.

If you would like to share your story, please email us your experience and contact details.

My brother George

When a child is diagnosed with leukaemia, we often forget how deeply this affects the lives of their brothers and sisters.

Only 7 years old at the time, Mary Hawkins tells us what happened when her 4 year old brother, George, was diagnosed.

Lex Stephenson

4-year-old Lex was on a family holiday in Turkey when he fell suddenly and dramatically ill and was air-lifted back to the UK.

Lex's mother, Lee, tells their story.

Yvonne Dugera

So many different symptoms, but nothing pointed to leukaemia.

At last the blood test told the terrible truth. An extremely ill Yvonne began a gruelling journey to recovery.

Elizabeth Rysdale

Just after her first birthday, a lump on little Elizabeth Rysdale's eye led to a diagnosis of leukaemia.

Elizabeth's father, Andrew, tells us her story.

Caitlin Knutsson

In 2005, five year old Caitlin was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia while she and her family were living in Poland.

Caitlin’s mum, Mary tells their story.

Ben Smith

With a year of intensive chemotherapy now completed, nine year old Ben Smith still faces 2 years of maintenance chemo.

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