As I sit and write this my youngest Nephew Oliver, is at Great Ormond Street Hospital waiting to go down to theatre for another routine lumbar puncture.  As most of you will know Ollie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in June 2013, aged 3. I feel completely helpless as I know there is nothing I, nor any of my family can do to help him.  However, after reading Matthew's story I thank God Oliver has his Mum and Dad who are with him every step of the way....

Matthew is 13 years old and lives at home with his Dad, David and nine year old brother, James.

Matthew & James sadly lost their Mother to renal cancer in March 2007, just 11 weeks after losing their Grandmother to cancer on Christmas Day.  Their Grandfather also lost his battle with cancer a few years later.

Matthew was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia shortly after his 13th Birthday and has been receiving treatment ever since. He is currently on steroids, which has drastically increased his food intake, and has had numerous blood & platelet transfusions in the last few weeks alone.

Matthew is so brave and never complains about his diagnosis.  he was even overheard telling a nurse "It's better that I have this rather than someone else, our family is used to it"

When speaking to Matthew, it's clear that his biggest concern is for his younger Brother James, who doesn't remember his Mum as well as Matthew as he was only two when she died.

Matthew lives more than 100 miles away from the hospital where he receives treatment at least once a week.  In between these appointments he also has expected and unexpected trips to his local hospital which is more than 20 miles away from his home.  As a single parent, Dad, is unable to work whilst Matthew is being treated so his income has been significantly reduced and it has become difficult to afford the day to day things that many of us take for granted.

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