Children With Cancer Fund (Polegate) The Bon Bon, 5 Western Avenue Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6EP Tel: 01323 485314 Email: info@childrenwithcancerfund.co.uk Registered Charity No.1110644

In January 2007 Rees started with tummy pains. He went to the doctors who sent him to the local hospital, as they though could possibly be his appendix. He was checked over and sent home. His mum felt that something was very wrong but had no idea what it could be.

After seven months numerous visits to the doctors and hospital had proved unable to discover what the problem was. In the early hours of one Sunday morning at the end of July Rees was in so much pain that his mum took him to Brighton Hospital. He had a blood test on a previous hospital visit which has found his haemoglobin level was at 7.9. This time he was tested again and it had dropped to 7.

A team of doctors were called and took x-rays. The x-rays showed a shadow on his lungs. Following an MRI scan he was moved to the Royal Marsden Hospital where a bonemarrow aspiration was taken and the terrible diagnosis was made. Rees had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

He underwent Lumbar punctures, chemo, fluids, blood transfuions and a operation to insert a Portacath. Rees was very very frightened as he had never been in hospital and to also be surrounded by poorly children that had sadly lost there hair was very scary. Rees underwent a huge dose of steroids and after 2 weeks didnt look like the same child. He had doubled in size and would eat all night long. He had gone through a year of intense treatment and sadly lost his hair. He is currently in remission and, fingers crossed, his treatment is due to end October 2010.

He is an amazing brave boy who has been an inspiration to everyone. His parents are so proud of the fundraising he has done while having to cope with so much himself. He has raised £1125 for The royal Marsden and £3471 for Children with Leukaemia. Rees is on maintenance now which is chemo tablets every evening, methotrexate on a wednesday 15 tablets, antibotic at the weekends and weekly blood tests. Every three months he has to have a lumbar puncture.

We would like to say a huge Thank you to CWCF for being there for us and we have gained such strength from being with other families who we would never have met. The days you organise mean so much to us to get away from hospitals and have things to look forward to. Rees and Brandon had a wonderful suprise treasure hunt, I haven’t seen them smile so much.

Thank you so so much Chris and Ursula, we couldn’t get through this tough journey without you.

My top tip is keep smiling, even though some days it’s hard, and always listen to your instincts.

Love to all

Mel, James, Rees and Brandon

xxx

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