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Michael

Michael is now 5 years old and has started school. He is so happy and healthy and loves reading, maths, and playing the floor is lava all over the house! He was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in 2021, a few weeks before his first birthday.

Michael's story

Michael was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in July 2021, just a few weeks before his first birthday. He had bruising under his eyes and a droopy eyelid for a couple of weeks prior, then suddenly his eye was protruding out of his head due to the tumour behind it. 

 Helen, Michael's Mum said: “When I heard that Michael had cancer, straight away I began to grieve. I was grieving for the childhood he couldn’t have, preparing myself for the worst, but at the same time not even being able to contemplate that. I felt completely lost and hopeless.

"When you look on social media it can feel like there is only bad news. Finding Solving Kids' Cancer UK and their stories of hope, seeing children doing well now, gave me so much. It feels surreal to be writing his now."

Treatment

Michael completed NHS frontline treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. He had no major complications from treatment and his parents decided not to fundraise for further maintenance treatment.

Helen said "I think you know in your gut what is the right thing for you. For me, I felt like I had no capacity for fundraising alongside what was completely consuming treatment. Especially Michael being so young and going through treatment in the pandemic, many days I could barely go to the toilet – let alone undertake raising so much money.

I had so many reassuring chats with Solving Kids' Cancer UK and the team, looked at the trial data myself and decided it wasn’t for us. If, at any point he had relapsed, then that’s when we would’ve fundraised."

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Now

Michael is now three years post-frontline treatment and remains well. He is a happy, smiley boy who loves gymnastics, reading, maths, and playing the floor is lava all over the house.

Helen said "I am so grateful to the NHS for saving our son’s life. I am grateful to Solving Kids' Cancer UK for the guidance, support and friendship the whole team have given us. Nothing gets us down anymore and we cherish every single day together, just enjoying our very normal life, which is the only thing you dream of when you’re in treatment."