Mia Young was aged 5 from Treorchy in Rhondda Cynon Taff when she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia just over 24 months ago. It is a rare form of cancer, with only 750 cases diagnosed per year in the UK.

The first step in knowing there was an issue came after Mia failed a school eye test which prompted (Mia’s mother) to book her in for a follow up appointment a week later at Specsavers in Treorchy for further investigation.

Mia was fit and well with no symptoms of vision problems whatsoever so I thought it was strange she had failed the test. ‘We took her to Specsavers for further investigations – but I couldn’t have anticipated what would come next.’

Geraint Jones, optometrist director at Specsavers Treorchy, conducted Mia’s examination and noticed an unusual appearance to the blood vessels near the optic nerve at the back of the one eye.

He immediately referred Mia to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, where - after numerous tests - medical staff confirmed her diagnosis of leukaemia. It was found that her white cell count was 460,000 per cubic millimeter – estimated at between 50 to 100 times higher than normal in a child.

The diagnosis came as a particular shock to Us as a family and medical staff alike, as chronic myeloid leukaemia is predominantly found in over 60s. She continues to receive oral chemotherapy and has been supported by the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff.

Mia has spent the last 24 months on chemotherapy but had the heartbreaking news that the chemotherapy is no longer working and shes been given a trial of new chemotherapy and will undergo a bone marrow transplant in 3 months time Providing this new trial works. They then suffered more devistating news Mia’s mother had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and is also terminally ill. Mia’s mother has had an intense course chemotherapy and radiotherapy and has also undergone surgery and had a double masectomy and a hysterectomy and is awaiting more scans and surgery, however Mia’s mother will stay with Mia for aslong as shes able to and support her through this devistating time.

We are looking for any help with fundraising / donations ect to help support us as a family whilst Mum spends several months in bristol supporting Mia whilst Dad stays to look after Mia’s sister Ella whos 9 to try and keep some normality such as schooling etc.

many thanks for taking the time to read our story you may have already seen it in local newspapers.

Kind regards

The Young Family x