Chorley tot Lily-Mai's family raise awareness of childhood cancer

Every two minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer - 300,000 every year - and one in five will not survive.

September was designated Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to increase understanding - cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 14.

For many it is a time to shine the light on the realities of childhood cancer, emphasize the importance of life-saving research, and join together to make a difference for children diagnosed.

As a result of COVID-19, childhood cancer research labs around the country had to temporarily shut down, stopping progress in its tracks, but at the same time incidence rates are rising.

Beth and Jake Pugh, from Chorley, know first hand the devastation a childhood diagnosis can cause.

They lost their three-year-old daughter, Lily-Mai, just a few weeks ago, but are bravely sharing their story to urge other families to educate themselves on signs to look out for.

The chatty and bubbly little girl suddenly became poorly at the start of the lockdown and in June was diagnosed with pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare chest cancer.

The battling tot, who loved Disney movies, started chemotherapy, but had a bad reaction which left her in intensive care, and she started to deteriorate.

She died in July with her parents holding her.

Lily-Mai left such an impact on the local community that her nursery, Eaves Green Pre School, based at Eaves Green community centre, has raised £1,500 in a crowdfunding campaign to create a permanent tribute.

Beth, Jake and their older children Emma, 12 and brother Adam, 13, have been overwhelmed with support from the NHS, charities and Lily's nursery.

Beth says: "This month is so important to us and we can’t put into words as a family how much this means to us.

"We want to use this opportunity to say to parents trust your own instinct, As parents, no matter how good of a relationship you have with your GP, you know your child best. Do not be afraid to question or ask for a second opinion.

"We cannot thank the NHS enough for the care they gave Lily-Mai and to us as parents, we do want parents to be aware of symptoms.

"As a parent of a baby you are given advice on meningitis, chicken pox, measles alike but no one ever mentions the UK’s largest killer, childhood cancer.

"Many of us know how to check for breast cancer and testicular cancer as adults, but does anyone really know the main symptoms of childhood cancer?

"We certainly didn’t, the thought never even crossed our mind."

She adds: "We have made a promise to Lily-Mai to push for more research into chemotherapy.

"We have learnt so much more since her passing on how destroying chemotherapy can be for years after. Because of the treatments they had as kids, by the time they’re in their 40s, more than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a chronic health problem and 80% will have severe or life threatening conditions."

Chorley businesses, including Katy’s Kitchen and Brinscall swimming baths have a charity box and pin badges for sale from Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia Group.

The family is also urging people to support two other charities that helped them - Milly’s Smiles, which donate bags to new oncology patients with everything children could need for their first few days, and Beads of Courage, which give children special beads for every part of their oncology journey.

Beth adds: " Lily received over 360 beads during her 6 week journey. Lily loved her beads and was so proud of them. They helped us as a parent, especially after she had passed, to see how much she had fought for."

As the awareness month has a gold or yellow theme, Beth and Jake are hoping to persuade landmarks including the Blackpool Tower and Rivington Pike to be lit up in support.

There are over a dozen types of childhood cancer and hundreds of different subtypes. The more rare types, when added together, account for about 30% of cancers in children and adolescents. But because so few children are diagnosed with each type, it’s very difficult to do research on these cancers.

Possible signs and symptoms of cancer in children include:

An unusual lump or swelling.

Unexplained paleness and loss of energy.

Easy bruising or bleeding.

An ongoing pain in one area of the body.

Limping.

Unexplained fever or illness that doesn't go away.

Frequent headaches, often with vomiting.

Sudden eye or vision changes.