For months, Jess was reassured that her daughter’s ongoing ailments were nothing serious—until reality hit hard. In 2022, little Lacie John from Bridgend was constantly unwell with colds, fatigue, and even chicken pox. Doctors consistently sent her home with a “no worries” diagnosis, despite her worsening symptoms.
But when a lump appeared on her neck, everything changed. After a week battling severe symptoms like high fevers and vomiting, Lacie ended up at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff, facing an unexpected diagnosis: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a rare and aggressive blood cancer, most common in young children.
The shock was immense. “Our world was shattered,” Jess said. Yet the fight wasn’t over. Initial chemotherapy didn’t work, so Lacie underwent an intensive treatment program, including the specialist drug Blinatumomab. Thankfully, the second round worked wonders. It was a tough journey—Lacie spent much time in hospital and required a feeding tube—but her resilience shone through.
Today, Lacie is back in school and kicking cancer’s butt! She’s in the maintenance phase of her treatment and looking forward to ringing the bell to mark her remission next year. Her wish list for recovery includes visiting Tenerife and getting her ears pierced.
September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and Jess is backing campaigns by charities like Leukaemia UK and Leukaemia Care to raise awareness about the subtle signs of leukaemia. Early diagnosis is crucial and life-saving. Through the #SPOTleukaemia campaign, they’re encouraging everyone to get to know the symptoms and not hesitate to request blood tests from GPs if they have concerns.
Lacie’s journey is a strong reminder that vigilance and awareness can change lives. Let’s spread the word and keep an eye out for the signs—all in the hope of a cancer-free future for Lacie and many others. 💪❤️
#BloodCancerAwarenessMonth #SpotLeukaemia #FightLikeLacie