We are trying to raise some much needed funds for our friend and colleague, Amelia whose young daughter Niamh (2.5years) has just been diagnosed with leukaemia. Amelia had worked as a nurse in Altnagelvin Hospital Day Case Unit and had relocated with her family to Essex in July 2023. She was due to start her new nursing post in October 2023 so that she could continue to practice the profession that she loved and continue to help others, however, she and her family now need help.

On Sunday, October 1st Niamh became unwell she was lethargic, had unexplained bruising, reduced appetite, fevers, pinpoint sized red spots all over. Her parents took her to Colchester hospital where after a medical examination and routine blood tests they were given a provisional diagnosis of Leukaemia. Niamh was swiftly transferred to Addenbrookes hospital that night and on October 3rd, she was taken to theatre for a bone marrow aspiration, lumbar puncture and insertion of Hickmann Line and NG Tube (A.K.A Niamh's Wigglys'). Later that day the families worst fears became a reality, Niamh was confirmed to have Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (A.L.L). Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia is an overproduction of immature lymphoid cells, called lymphoblasts or blast cells. Immature lymphoid cells fill up the bone marrow and stop it making healthy blood cells. As these cells are immature, they cannot work properly. This puts the child at increased risk of infection. Treatment is long and grueling, lasting two years for girls and three years for boys. The principal treatment is chemotherapy. A combination of chemotherapy drugs and steroid medicines is given in several stages or blocks. As well as chemotherapy, some children will also require radiotherapy and/or a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant.

In Niamh's first two weeks of treatment she has battled sepsis, which her parents were told was potentially fatal and later Covid. She has been separated from her brother Noah who is 4 and is missing his sister and best friend. Amelia and Zac take turns staying with Niamh during her hospitalisation's whilst also trying to keep Noahs routine/schooling ongoing. Their lives have changed/stopped but unfortunately the bills never do. Zac has had time off and Amelia hasn’t been able to start her job yet. Please help us to help this young family get through the most heart-breaking and challenging time of their lives.