3 years ago, on 29th June 2020 we were told that our son, Josh, was very poorly and most likely had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. The next evening, following a blood transfusion and some antibiotics, we made our way from Poole where we were staying to the Sheffield Children’s Hospital and two days later, the diagnosis confirmed, Josh began his treatment, having his first dose of chemotherapy. That relentless treatment has continued for the last 3 years but is set to finish at the end of August 2023 and we hope that this long journey means the leukaemia that has gone does not come back. Josh is no longer the carefree 4 year old with crazy Boris Johnson style blond hair. He is a strong 7 year old who has shown immense courage and resilience, as has his big brother, Finley, and we are amazingly proud of them both. To mark the end of treatment and the 3 years it has taken we are taking on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks to raise money for the Sheffield Childrens Hospital and Cavendish Cancer Care, 2 charities that have massively helped and supported us navigate this challenging path.

Over the last 3 years, Josh has coped exceptionally well with the treatment and for the most part has been able to find a new balance to his life once the first intense 6 months were completed. However, the background has been that his life has been completely medicalised with daily chemotherapy administered at home, IV chemotherapy given every 4 weeks along with a pulse of the dreaded steroids and a 12 weekly procedure to administer chemotherapy into his spinal fluid that has needed a short general anaesthetic. His blood levels have been regularly monitored so it has never more than 2 weeks that he is away from the Childrens hospital, and every time he has been unwell or spiked a temperature he has had to be taken in to be checked, to have his port (a surgically implanted access point for IV drugs and blood that is under the skin of his chest) used for bloods with the potential of an admission. It has been a long road and one which has come with lots of ups and downs.

As we are nearing the end of this particular chapter, we wanted to do something positive to mark it and to say thank you to those who have given us support along the way and that is where the 3 peaks comes in. It has felt, at times, to be a never ending journey with more uphill sections as soon as you have hit a downhill so taking on the 3 peaks feels like a good way to mark the 3 years that have gone by since that surreal day in June 2020 when we first heard the words leukaemia said in relation to our little boy.

The first link is for the Sheffield Childrens Hospital (TCHC) who have provided first class care and treatment for Josh. They took control upon our arrival and from that moment we have always felt that they were on top of everything. Nothing has been too much trouble and ultimately his treatment there has saved his life. The staff in clinic work hard to build positive relationships with the children and their patience with Josh has meant that over time he has begun to feel secure and safe and this has been evidenced in the way he has got used to the things that happen to him whilst there in a way which 3 years ago we could not have imagined. We cannot fault their care and know we are so lucky to have them on our doorstep. You can donate here (TCHC donate).

The second link is for Cavendish Cancer Care who are a local charity who provide support and therapy to those affected by cancer. We were recommended their services by a friend and we are so grateful that we have had their support. They genuinely care and understand the challenges that you are facing and have helped both the boys with some play therapy sessions and us with some parent counselling. Their support can really make a difference to families impacted by cancer and so we would love to raise money to help them continue to do this. You can donate here (CavCanCare donate)

We have had an amazing group of family and friends help us along the way and many of them are taking on this challenge with us. We cannot thank them enough and all those who have been there with us. We cannot wait to tackle this challenge together and look forward to a little celebration at the end!!

Any support you can give is gratefully received and will help make a difference to others who have found themselves taking on challenges they would rather not!

Thanks

Harriet, Ben, Finley & Josh