On 25th June 2017, Sophie was diagnosed with leukaemia, a cancer of the blood. That evening Sophie received her first blood transfusion and platelet transfusion as she was severely anaemic. The following day Sophie was transferred to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham where she spent several weeks. Sophie started her treatment of chemotherapy and steroids, as well as receiving several more blood transfusions, a bone marrow aspirate, lumbar puncture and was fitted with a Hickman line. Her amazing Mum and Dad travelled up and down the M1 everyday and took it in turns to stay overnight with Sophie whilst the other looked after Sophie's little sister, Chloe. Sophie is now home but her treatment continues both at home and on the Disney Ward at NGH.

As with all chemotherapy and steroids, Sophie has had some good days and bad days. The side effects are not very pleasant, including feeling very tired, being sick, having a suppressed immune system and most visibly, hair loss.

Sophie started losing her hair a few weeks ago and as the treatment goes on is likely to lose it all. A lovely charity, the Little Princess Trust, makes wigs for children who have had hair loss through illness and chemotherapy. Sophie may receive a wig in due course but in the meantime Sophie's mum, Emily, has decided to donate her hair to this charity. She is planning on donating at least 30cm so that a long wig can be made for another little girl who has lost her hair. Emily will have her hair chopped off in September to coincide with Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

If you would like to sponsor Emily when she has the big chop, it would be greatly appreciated.

The money raised will be split between Alfe's Cause (a local children's cancer charity) and the lovely Brogan family so, when Sophie is up to it, they can have days out, fun at home and maybe a trip away.

If you can spare any money we'd all be eternally grateful.

Love from Team Sophie xxx