When a baby’s cold turns out to be something far more serious, it’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Meet little Otto Acreman, the “happy, smiley” one-year-old, whose parents Sophie and Paul watched in horror as a simple cold spiralled into a shocking stage four neuroblastoma diagnosis.
What started as innocent sniffles soon included heavy wheezing and a failure to gain weight. Repeated visits to the GP left Sophie and Paul assured it was just a common cold. It wasn’t until Otto’s aunt noticed a lump on his neck at a family barbecue that their worst fears took shape.
Rushed to A&E, tests revealed the devastating truth: Otto had a rare nerve cancer, shocking even the medical professionals in Exeter, who hadn’t seen such a case in years. From there, a whirlwind of biopsies, blood tests, and scans left Sophie and Paul living in what they describe as “groundhog day,” constantly rushing between hospital visits.
Despite the diagnosis, Otto’s spirit remains unbroken—he’s capturing the hearts of nurses with his constant smiles. Sophie’s had to leave her job to support Otto full-time, and Paul, a landscape gardener, has taken significant time off work, leaving the family scrambling to make ends meet. Juggling hospital trips and financial stress is wearing them thin, and they’re reaching out for support as they navigate this challenging journey.
Otto’s not your average toddler; he’s yet to crawl or walk and doesn’t have any teeth. As Sophie puts it, they’ve been denied “a normal life.” The family is appealing for assistance with travel expenses, income loss, and everyday costs to help them focus on Otto’s fight.
Join us in supporting this brave family through these challenging times. Every little helps! If you wish to assist, you can contribute to their fundraiser. Otto’s journey, although tough, is fuelled by love and a community rallying behind him. 💙