A four-year-old girl whose parents were told she had a virus after losing the ability to work actually turned out to have cancer.
Gracie McHugh was sent home from A&E in 2023 but went on to become more poorly due to having pain in her legs. Mum Helen Jackson, 39, searched her symptoms online after she started to become pale and began crying in pain.
Helen returned to hospital with Gracie and tests finally found she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), type of blood cancer that starts from white blood cells. Following a blood transfusion, Gracie was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where she underwent ten days of intense chemotherapy and steroids and had physiotherapy to learn to walk again in 2023.
Mum Helen, from Halifax, West Yorks., said: “It was such a dark time when Gracie was diagnosed. Luckily, she was too young to understand what was going on.
Gracie was diagnosed with ALL after she was taken to hospital
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Cancer Research UK / SWNS)
Gracie’s cancer was discovered when she stopped being able to walk
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Cancer Research UK / SWNS)
“But it was a difficult time for her brothers who had so much to deal with because we had to keep leaving them with other family members while we were at hospital.” Gracie was signed up for a Cancer Research-funded clinical trial called “Altogether-1”, which aims to see if changing treatments works better for children and young people with ALL.
Gracie is due to end the maintenance phase of her treatment in March, but was diagnosed with osteopenia in her legs as the bones have been left weak by the treatment. Helen, a mum-of-four said: “The end is in sight now with Gracie’s treatment completing soon.
“And we have so much to look forward to this year.” As well as a star-shaped trophy, Gracie also received gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and TV doctor Dr Ranj.
Helen, a child therapist, added: “Cancer Research UK is such a fantastic charity to recognise these amazing and courageous children and to help fund the clinical trial Gracie has been on. We couldn’t be prouder of Gracie receiving a star award as she’s been so incredibly brave throughout all of her treatment.”
Gracie McHugh, pictured with her siblings, was initially diagnosed with a virus
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Cancer Research UK / SWNS)
Jane Bullock, a Cancer Research UK spokesperson said: “A cancer diagnosis is heartbreaking at any age, but it can be especially hard for youngsters. Gracie is a real star who has been through so much at such a young age and it has been an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate her courage with a Star Award.
“Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults, from the types of cancer to the impact of treatment – and many may experience serious long-term side effects. That’s why we’re supporting dedicated research to find new and less toxic ways to beat this devastating disease.
“We’re urging people in West Yorkshire to nominate inspirational children like Gracie for a Star Award now, so that many more can receive the acknowledgement they so richly deserve.”