A BAILDON couple have spoken about the anguish they went through when their two-year-old daughter Amelie was diagnosed with  leukaemia.

Jo and Tom Adams found a huge amount of help with the charity Candlelighters and are urging people to donate to the charity's Christmas appeal which held its Christmas party on December 3.

The Adams' said after a couple of trips to the doctors, suspected tonsillitis, and a visit to the hospital, a nurse arranged for Amelie to have some blood tests. An hour later, they received a call saying to bring her back for a blood transfusion. This was the first time the word leukaemia was mentioned.

Jo, Amelie’s mum, said:  “We feel like we’ve wiped some of this time from our memories now. It was such a big shock.”

“In the first few days, we met one of the Candlelighters Family Support Workers. She was brilliant and explained all that was available to us through Candlelighters, from emotional to practical and financial support.”

Amelie was born during lockdown, and Jo and Tom were looking forward to 2022 being their first normal Christmas for their new family. 

Jo doesn’t remember going Christmas shopping that year saying it was 'all a bit of a blur'.

As Amelie was on treatment over Christmas it made it impossible for them to plan with their family and especially difficult for anyone to visit.

Soon after her diagnosis, Amelie, Jo, and Tom received an invite to the Candlelighters Christmas Party. 

“As soon as we walked in, we felt special.” Tom said. “Amelie was just getting back onto her feet after her treatment, she was on steroids, and she hadn’t been her usual, smiley self in weeks. We finally saw her smile again at the party.”

Candlelighters is asking supporters to fund their mission to bring festive magic to children facing cancer by donating towards the cost of a party place. Each place at the party costs £32, and any amount helps to bring joy to a child with cancer at Christmas.

Emily Wragg, CEO of Candlelighters, said: “All year round, we see the devastating impact that childhood cancer can have on a family. Christmas can be an especially difficult time for a family with a child who has cancer. It’s all thanks to the generosity of the public that we can be there for families when they need support, and every pound donated helps bring Christmas magic to a family facing childhood cancer.”

To find out more about Candlelighters’ Christmas Appeal and how you can still make Christmas magical for children with cancer, visit: https://www.candlelighters.org.uk/christmas-at-candlelighters/