29 December 2023 , 17:01
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A family have been left heartbroken after their young son was diagnosed with cancer when he failed to recover from what they thought was a sickness bug.
Benedict Waters, 6, from Chester, had just gone back to school after the summer holidays when his parents Anna and Richard received a call to say he had been sick. However, he was still poorly a week later, so his parents took him to see the GP.
Initially examinations didn't flag up anything of concern, but the youngster, known as Benny, was still referred to the Countess of Chester Hospital for tests. A few days later, the family were given the devastating news he had acute lymphoblas. - after he didn't recover from what seemed like a normal sickness bug.
Benny was transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool where he started intensive treatment immediately.
Explaining what led the family to take Benny to their GP, Anna said: “He was so up and down we just knew something was wrong. One day he had a temperature, then the next he’d be back at school and at a party.
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He's set to ring the bell to signal the end of his treatment in October 2024 – a moment the entire family are eagerly awaiting (Cancer Research UK)
"He knew more about it than us to begin with because he watches Operation Ouch on CBBC" (Cancer Research UK)"Then the day after that, he’d not be able to get off the sofa again. I remember coming back from a run one morning and looking at him and thinking his skin didn’t look the right colour, it’s hard to explain, almost like his blood wasn’t working properly.
"After he was diagnosed, it all happened so fast. He started treatment the next day. But I can’t tell you how amazing he’s been with it all. He knew more about it than us to begin with because he watches Operation Ouch on CBBC.
"He’s just cracked on with things and been amazing. On the days he feels okay during treatment he’s worked really hard with his schoolwork, so he doesn’t get behind.”
Cheshire Live reported that the family have had their lives turned upside down for the last 12 months with long hospital stays, chemotherapy and blood transfusions. Having turned 8-years-old last month, Benny now takes daily chemotherapy tablets at home and attends Alder Hey Children’s Hospital once a month for intravenous chemotherapy.
He's set to ring the bell to signal the end of his treatment in October 2024 – a moment the entire family are eagerly awaiting. Proud mum Anna said the family were so impressed with Benny's bravery that they nominated him for a special national award.
He has now received a Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Award, in partnership with TK Maxx, for the courage he has shown throughout his treatment. A Cancer Research UK spokesperson said that thanks to major advances in treatment, led by scientists from the charity, more than nine in 10 children in the UK with ALL, like Benny, now survive this type of cancer for at least five years.
Anna added: “Your first thought goes to a fear of what is going to happen, and you think the worst. But then when you’re told that thanks to research the prognosis is actually really good, you switch to thinking ‘we can get there, we can do this. Now we’ve got less than a year to go, it feels like the end is in sight."
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jemma Humphreys, said: “Benny is a real star who has been through so much at such a young age. It has been an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate his 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 youngsters may experience serious long-term side effects. That’s why we’re supporting dedicated research to ensure more children and young people survive cancer with a good quality of life.
“We’re urging people in Cheshire to nominate inspirational children like Benny for a Star Award now, so that many more affected by this devastating disease can receive the acknowledgement they so richly deserve.”
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The awards are backed by a host of famous faces including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.
Calling for more nominations, children’s TV presenter, Phil Gallagher from Mister Maker, said: “The strength these young people show when faced with a cancer diagnosis is remarkable, and that’s why I’m supporting the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards again this year. Their courage and resilience needs to be honoured, and the Star Awards are such a lovely way of doing that and showing them how special they are.”
There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. Everyone nominated receives a trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card, a t-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities.
Their siblings also receive a certificate. The awards are open to all children under 18 who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five year.