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'Childhood cancer is a parent's worst nightmare'

Rachael Lewisin Tamworth
Family supplied A picture of a woman with a green jumper on and wearing glasses and brown hair smiling into the camera. On her lap is a toddler who has a cream top on and is wearing a purple fabric on her hair. They are both smiling. Family supplied
Jessie is due to finish her treatment in May, her family says

When Danielle found out her three-year-old daughter Jessie had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, she said her life changed in an instant.

The journey from Tamworth, Staffordshire, to Birmingham Children's Hospital became a regular part of the family's routine, as Jessie underwent chemotherapy for the rare blood cancer.

"It came as a complete surprise, out of the blue. It's every parent's worst nightmare, and we have to live it," Danielle said.

Jessie is due to finish her treatment in May and her family has created a charity in her name, hoping to raise money for others on the hospital's oncology ward.

"Jessie's Journey is about raising awareness for childhood cancer and raising funds for children and their families, especially the siblings who I call the forgotten children," her mother added.

Two women looking into the camera smiling. One has ginger hair and the other has dark brown hair. Behind them are different photographs of her daughter, Jessie, who is fighting cancer in hospital.
Danielle (left) ran the pop-up shop with the help of friends

Throughout half-term, the charity ran a free pop-up shop and community hub space in the Ankerside shopping centre in Tamworth, featuring entertainment, a raffle and donated goods for sale.

"It's just about the community embracing each other and about spending time as a family," Danielle added.

Outside the shop, she designed a Wall of Warriors, with photographs of other local children who have been treated for cancer, highlighting the effect of the disease on families.

A woman with black and white short hair looking into the camera, her hair is split into the two colours. She is smiling and has a septum piercing. There are purple and pink balloons behind her.
Hannah's daughter Flo was featured on the Warrior Wall outside the pop-up

Hannah's daughter Flo was featured on the wall: "All the little faces together are beautiful, she would love this, I just want people to remember the gorgeous little girl that she was.

"Ultimately it is about those children and a lot of those children don't make it, there's not enough funding into treatment and research."

Also featured was Louise's nine-year-old daughter Tilly: "The local community for us were just wonderful and we just need to be here to support as well.

"Makes me feel emotional and very proud.

"I think Tilly has been mentioned a few times in the shop and I am really proud. She was a smiler and smiled through it all."

A photo of two women smiling looking into the camera. One woman has short blonde hair and the other has long black hair. Both are slightly smiling and looking into the camera. One has a leopard print jacket on and the other is wearing all black.
Louise (right), pictured with her daughter Olivia, said her nine-year-old daughter Tilly was "smiling though it all"

One of the charity's main goals is to create a space that can be used by the families of children going through treatment.

"It's a big dream, but it's about spending time together. When your child is having care at Birmingham Children's hospital you can never be more than an hour away," Danielle said.

"We are trying to find a hub, a place, for families to go and enjoy some time together.

"We know we aren't going to do it alone, so we are looking for either businesses or individuals who could help us."

The pop-up shop and community hub will be at Ankerside Shopping Centre until 22 February.

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