A North Wales family has been left shattered after receiving a devastating prognosis for their baby daughter, Callie Shaw, whose life now hangs in the balance following an unexpected and tragic diagnosis. The heartache began with what seemed like a routine call from their daughter’s nursery—a moment that has since altered their world forever.
It was a regular afternoon when Callie, just one year old, woke from her nap. A carer at the nursery made a worrying discovery: a small, unusual lump near Callie’s ear. Acting on instinct and caution, nursery staff reached out immediately to her mother, Sarah, who hurried to collect her daughter. Initially, reassurances came quickly—doctors at Wrexham Maelor Hospital believed the lump was benign, sending Callie home with her relieved family.
However, Sarah’s concern for her daughter did not abate. Sensing that something was amiss, she sought further medical advice. After several repeat visits to the hospital and persistent anxiety, medical professionals referred Callie to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for more extensive tests. It was there that the family received the diagnosis every parent dreads—Callie was suffering from a rhabdoid tumour, an extremely rare and aggressive cancer that usually affects infants and young children.
Callie’s journey through treatment was fraught with challenges. She underwent an intensive four-month course of chemotherapy, and for a brief period, hope flickered; scans revealed that the tumour was shrinking, giving her loved ones a glimmer of optimism. Yet, this hope was cruelly dashed when a routine MRI scan showed the cancer had spread to her lungs, and the chemotherapy was no longer effective.
The family, who live in Wrexham, were then confronted with the grim reality: Callie’s illness was terminal. Doctors informed them that her life expectancy was now measured not in years, or even months, but weeks—just four to six, at best. The shockwaves of this news left Callie’s family reeling, struggling to come to terms with the limited time they have left with her.
Relatives, including Callie’s aunt Chakara Tudor, have spoken about the deep sorrow and disbelief that swept over the family after the terminal diagnosis. “We were just heartbroken. We had all this hope she would get better,” Chakara explained. “It was all ripped away from us. We thought she would recover after the operation, but it wasn’t to be.”
Despite her declining health, Callie’s spirit has remained remarkably resilient. Family members describe her as a source of happiness and inspiration, her ever-present smile lighting up every room she enters. “She’s just such a happy, brave little girl,” Chakara shared. “You wouldn’t even think anything was wrong with her. She just gets on with it.”
As the family prepares for the difficult weeks ahead, they are determined to fill Callie’s final days with joyful experiences. They have set up a GoFundMe page to help make special memories for her and to assist with funeral expenses in the future. “She’ll probably have to spend her last weeks in a hospice, so we want her to be as comfortable as possible,” Chakara said. “No family should ever have to face something like this, and especially not a tiny child.”
Callie’s impending loss will also be deeply felt by her two-year-old brother, Kyran, who shares an unbreakable bond with her. According to the family, Kyran has always been the perfect big brother, and the thought of separating the siblings weighs heavily on them.
Callie celebrated her first birthday in March while admitted at Alder Hey, unable to share the milestone with extended family and friends. To honour her, relatives have planned a special celebration at Gresford Memorial Hall in Wrexham on 25 May, inviting the wider community to support and share in Callie’s story.
In this difficult time, the Shaws are surrounded by an outpouring of support, not only from friends and family but also from well-wishers touched by Callie’s bravery. Anyone wishing to contribute to making Callie’s time as meaningful as possible can donate via the family’s GoFundMe page, with every gesture of kindness helping to ease the burden of an unimaginably difficult journey.