A brave Edinburgh child who was diagnosed with cancer at just nine years old and received a life saving liver transplant has recently led the charge against cancer at the Pretty Muddy event in Edinburgh.
11-year-old Leo Barker was diagnosed with liver cancer in June 2020, after life saving treatment in the height of lockdown at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, he’s now in remission and helping raise money to fight cancer.
The Livingston local took to the stage ahead of his story being shared as the voice of Cancer Research UK Race for Life Pretty Muddy Kids. His story will be shared at hundreds of Pretty Muddy events this year.
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Pretty Muddy Kids is an obstacle race where people race to raise money for cancer research. It’s part of Cancer Research’s Race for Life campaign and more than 1,00 people took part in the recent event, raising more than £78,756.
Leo’s mum, Laura Barker and dad Stephen also took part in the race, as well as Leo’s 14-year-old brother Cole.
Leo said: “Thanks to life-saving treatment I’m back at school and back on the judo mat.
“In June 2020 when the world was in lockdown I was diagnosed with cancer in my liver. My mum took me to the doctor because I had a lump in my stomach. Later that day the doctors in the hospital told me it was cancer. Everything happened so fast. I had chemotherapy and eventually needed a liver transplant. I was flown down by air ambulance to Birmingham Children’s hospital where I had my transplant.
“I was dancing six days later. I am so happy to be feeling better and to have my strength back. I am loving spending time with friends and competing on the judo mat again. I recently won a bronze medal at the British Judo schools championships. I am so grateful to all the doctors and nurses and research teams that helped make me better.”
Now organisers of Pretty Muddy Edinburgh are appealing for people to make every step count by paying in sponsorship money as soon as possible.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Pretty Muddy Edinburgh.
“Life-saving research is being funded right now thanks to our supporters who fundraise. The atmosphere at Pretty Muddy Edinburgh was hugely moving- full of emotion, courage, tears and laughter as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
“Now we’re asking everyone who took part to return the money they’re raised as soon as possible. Funds raised- whether it’s £10 or £100 will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, helping save more lives.”
