A two-year-old girl from Halifax, England, named Gracie McHugh, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) after her mother, Helen Jackson, persistently sought answers when doctors dismissed her concerns about her daughter's health. Gracie's journey included intensive chemotherapy, physiotherapy to learn to walk again, and participation in a clinical trial. Now, nearing the completion of her treatment, Gracie is a testament to her courage and resilience, receiving a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award for her strength.
A Halifax family is now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel following their daughter's cancer diagnosis at just two-years-old.
Helen, who lives in Holywell Green, said: "We took Gracie to A&E and were sent home after being told she had a virus. However, Gracie became more poorly with pains in her legs, crying out in the night and looked pale in appearance. By the second time we ended up in A&E, I had been googling the symptoms and was starting to worry that it could be cancer."
Since Gracie was immobile for so long, Gracie needed to learn to walk again with the help of physiotherapy and was signed up for a clinical trial Cancer Research UK helps to fund called “Altogether-1”. Helen plans to marry her partner in Ripponden, West Yorkshire in August and are also planning a celebration when Gracie’s treatment is completed. She also plans to go back to work as a child therapist this year.
Helen said: “It was such a dark time when Gracie was diagnosed. Luckily, she was too young to understand what was going on, 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. Cancer Research UK spokesperson for West Yorkshire, Jane Bullock, 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.
Family CANCER CHILDHOOD DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT RESILIENCE
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