The mum of a brave Edinburgh girl who was born with a rare genetic disease has raised over £4,000 to thank hero medics despite her own serious health battles.
Quinn Harrison, from Edinburgh, has Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome - where both internal and external parts of the body can grow too quickly.
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The condition makes children more susceptible to tumours and kidney abnormalities, and at just five-years-old she was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year.
The youngster spent Christmas in hospital undergoing chemotherapy so mum Samantha recently completed a triathlon to help give back to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) and help other families over the festive period.
Samantha raised £4,182 for the Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity (ECHC) - despite also being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and hydrocephalus on the brain last year, as she now awaits major surgery. She said: "These last two years have been the hardest of our lives and have had a major impact on my family.
"We were at RHCYP for a routine scan of Quinn’s organs when her consultant discovered a growth on her right kidney. After nine hours of tests, we were told that it was cancer.
"We were completely blindsided. Quinn started chemotherapy six days later. We spent the next few months in and out of the hospital as doctors tried to save her kidney but unfortunately, chemotherapy didn't shrink the tumour the way they had hoped.
"We had always been told that Quinn’s left kidney was affected by Beckwith Wiedemann so taking out the ‘healthy’ one with the tumour was even more concerning – but they couldn’t wait any longer and risk the cancer spreading; so eventually, her whole right kidney was removed.
"Quinn battled numerous infections and fevers during her chemotherapy but is in remission now and doing well, despite frequent hospital visits for ultrasounds, oncology appointments, CT and MRI scans. She has been so strong throughout everything. I genuinely could not be more proud of her."
Samantha heaped praise on staff that helped keep life fun for young Quinn and says she was determined to give back to ECHC. "Last year some of my family and friends organised a 30-mile walk for Quinn and that's what inspired me to give back too with my triathlon," Samantha added.
"I can’t describe how much easier the amazing hospital teams and ECHC make it for those on the wards. They’re constantly trying to keep everybody upbeat.
"Quinn was spoilt with presents, visits from Santa, elves, magicians, musicians and daily arts and crafts activities. Things you wouldn’t even imagine. Sometimes it felt even more magical in there than it would have been at home.
"As for the future, Quinn is at high risk of the cancer returning over the next few years, but for now we're just grabbing every opportunity that comes and trying to make a difference to people who are in a similar position to us.
"I just want to make some of the dark days a little brighter for other children and families."
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