Solving Kids’ Cancer UK
Joseph's Campaign
We are so sorry to share the news that beautiful Joseph passed away on December 27 2021.
Story
In loving memory of Joseph Yeandle
We are so sorry to share the news that beautiful Joseph passed away on December 27 2021.
His family shared this message on social media:
"We are completely devastated to say that our little superhero, Joseph, passed away this morning. Our hearts have broken into a million pieces. We have no other words. We can't thank you all enough for your support this year and please know that your fundraising efforts and incredible generosity will go to support other children and families fighting this horrific disease.
Joseph, we love you so so much, life will never be the same again. Sleep tight, our special boy "
Josephs Story
Joseph was kind, funny and incredibly loving. He loved the Hulk, Batman and all the superheroes, as well as Blippi! He adored animals and enjoyed helping his Grandad feed the sheep. With his beautiful smile and infectious character, everyone fell in love with Joseph when they met him.
On Christmas Day 2020 Joseph woke up full of excitement and energy to see what Santa Claus had brought him. He was a healthy, energetic two-year-old boy with no sign of illness. However, not long after Christmas, he began to refuse his meals and shortly after he turned three in February, his energy levels dropped. His family thought it may have been a habit picked up during lockdown. He had lost a little bit of weight, but it coincided with a growth spurt, so it was easy to put it down to that.
Just before Easter Joseph became unwell with a virus and looked so unwell. He was grey, with black rings under his eyes, he could barely stand, and was crying in pain.
"Aside from the loss of appetite and low energy levels, it felt like it just came out of nowhere," says mum, Katy.
Joseph was taken to his local hospital and doctors found that his platelets were very low and following weeks of tests and scans, he was transferred to Noahs Ark Childrens Hospital in Cardiff. A bone marrow biopsy and multiple scans revealed that he had cancer that had spread to the adrenal glands, stomach, lymphatic system, brain and bone marrow. Joseph was officially diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma in April 2021, at just three years old.
Finding out Josephs diagnosis was the hardest moment of our lives. Hearing that your child has an aggressive cancer with a poor survival rate, is a feeling that cant be described and a feeling that I wish no other family must endure. I have sat and stared at this screen for hours trying to think of the words to describe that pain and gut-wrenching feeling, but nothing will ever come close. We couldnt understand how this was happening to Joseph, says Katy.
Joseph underwent many gruelling and toxic treatments whilst also having regular CT scans, ultrasounds, MIBG radioactive scans, MRI scans, anaesthetic, injections, transfusions, oxygen, feeding tubes and bone marrow biopsies.
During his treatment, only one parent was allowed to stay with him at the hospital due to covid restrictions which had a big impact on Josephs brother Liam.
Despite everything that Joseph went through, he remained a cheerful and smiley little boy, keeping himself entertained on facetime talking to his family.
Josephs family were fundraising for further treatment, either to get their son into remission or to try and keep the cancer away if his frontline treatment didnt go to plan.
Sadly Joseph passed away on 27th December 2021.