In March 2020, four days before the first national COVID lockdown was announced, our son Finley (Finnie for short), was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL); a type of blood cancer that starts from white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow. He was admitted to Addenbrooke’s children’s oncology ward for three years of intensive treatment, beginning with chemotherapy.

Finnie is a bright child. He understood the seriousness of his illness and we have always been honest with him. From that point on (age 7) Finnie grew up beyond his years and faced his illness head on. He has attended school throughout and has developed extraordinary strategies for coping with it all. His dream is to become a paediatric oncology doctor as he feels his empathy, compassion and open nature will make the difference to other young people fighting this cruel disease.

For the last three and a half years, we have entered a completely unfamiliar world. Finnie’s diagnosis was the news that no family should ever have to face. Extended periods of isolation, separation from family and friends and the constant COVID cloud placed enormous strain on us as a family of four.

Finnie’s superstar sister, Isla aged 7, has been exceptional. Our lives have revolved around treatments, hospital visits and limiting ourselves to activities that would not compromise Finnie’s weakened immune system. The love and kindness shown by Isla far exceeds her years. The siblings have developed an incredibly special bond.

Finnie’s strength and determination to fight this disease has been our inspiration. He has shown an amazing spirit and such courage. The impact that he has made has astounded us. To witness how he has touched the lives of friends and strangers alike and how he has inspired so many good acts led us to continue to support charities like Finnbar’s Force.

Finnie’s diagnosis has taught us so much and changed us as a family. We no longer take things for granted, sadly witnessing first-hand that not every family affected by childhood cancer is able to bring their child home from hospital. This has given us a new perspective on life and grief.

On Saturday 20th May 2023, Finnie will take his last chemotherapy drug and ring the bell which signals the end of treatment!

The unstinting kindness and support of friends, family and colleagues helped us get through and continues to sustain us. We feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such love.

Thank you for supporting us to help other children with life-threatening illnesses.

It really does make a difference.

We have been so well supported by two brilliant local charities, Finnbar's Force and The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Jenny Lind Play Specialist Team.

The Jenny Lind Play Specialists use their understanding of child development and play activities to help children cope with any pain, anxiety or fear they might experience during their time in hospital.

The Play Specialists use play to help prepare children for treatment, distract them during a procedure and help them understand what they have experienced.

Play activities are used to:

Welcome children and help them settle in

Assist children with reaching developmental goals

Encourage children to keep up their usual hobbies and interests during their hospital stay

Develop friendships between children on the ward

Help children regain skills they have lost as a result of their illness, and to learn new skills.

How Finnbar’s Force helps families like ours.

Finnbar’s Force is the Norfolk-based Cancer Charity committed to making every family feel that they are supported when and where they need to be. They are working to provide a more comforting environment for children and families attending chemotherapy clinics at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.

The charity work with service providers and charities in Norfolk to look at ways support can be improved for families with a child undergoing treatment for cancer.

The charity support research into childhood brain tumours and potential treatments - since 2017 they have donated almost £40,000 to research projects that will help children with brain tumours.

They give families of children diagnosed with cancer grants of £500 to help cover some of the costs faced upon initial diagnosis, such as travelling to a far-away hospital, car parking and food whilst away from home. They've developed an information toolkit for families to direct them to the best online resources and connect them with charities and services that can help them locally.

All monies raised will be split equally between these two amazing charities, The Jenny Lind Play Specialists and Finnbar's Force, and donations will close on Friday 21st July.

Thank you for your support.

Kellie Egleton

#TeamFinnie