A seven year old girl was given devastating news about her mum over a McDonald's Happy Meal.
Seon O’Hanlon, a mum-of-two from Warrington, found what she thought was a "harmless cyst" under her arm and went to see a doctor in May 2021. Around two weeks later she was told the lump was actually breast cancer.
The mum then had the awful challenge of telling her partner and two children, including seven-year-old Áine, she had cancer.
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Seon picked up her daughter from school and took her to McDonalds for a Happy Meal. When the family got home they went over to Áine, who was playing with her Happy Meal toy, and asked her to come into the kitchen.
Recalling what happened the night her mum told her she had cancer, Áine said: "On a Friday just over one year ago I had just got home from school and had a quick trip to McDonalds. I was playing with the toy I got when my Mum and Dad asked to have a quick chat with me in the kitchen.
"They explained that Mum felt a lump under her arm and brought it to the doctor. The doctor said it was cancer. I felt very worried and I wanted to have a hug with both of them."
Seon underwent an assessment at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. She described the care given to her at the centre as "outstanding".
She said: "The assessment and treatment I receive at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has been outstanding. Staff have been kind, knowledgeable, professional and friendly every step of the way."
Áine added: "When my Mum went through treatment it was very scary and it felt like it would go on forever. When she started getting better I felt very relieved and I wanted to have a hug with both of them again.
"The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre was extremely helpful with my Mum. The hardest thing was worrying about what happens if the treatment doesn’t work.
"Talking to teachers in school and talking to my Mum and Dad helped me feel less worried."
After seeing another child in her class fundraise through a sponsored silence Áine asked if she could do the same for the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. She also shared some advice for other children who might be going through a similar situation.
She said: “If any children feel worried because someone in their family has cancer my advice would be to speak to your family and your teachers.”
Charity fundraiser Antony Jones said: “It’s so heart-warming that Áine decided to support The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity as a way of saying thank you for the treatment and care her mum received with us. Support like Áine’s will help us to continue going over and above for our patients.
"Enabling innovations in care, such as the work of the Family Support Practitioner at Clatterbridge. Who helps to support families through one of the toughest times of their lives with love, giving children the tools to cope with the diagnosis, and possible death of a parent or loved one.
"Good luck and thank you to Áine and Seon for their fantastic support."
To donate to Aine's GoFundMe click here.
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