Just days after the UK was plunged into its first lockdown, little Aaron Wharton started showing worrying signs of ill-health. After periods of frequent vomiting, as well as difficulty with coordination, his parents took him to hospital where an MRI scan found a significant growth on the back of his head.
He was then referred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool for tests where it was discovered that, at the age of just four, he was living with a grade three brain tumour. "They confirmed that Aaron would need an operation," recalled his devastated mum Nicola, 37. "Within 48 hours of learning that he had a tumour, he was on the operating table", she added.
Aaron, from Buckley, Flintshire, underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove the tumour. Afterwards, he lost the ability to speak, eat and swallow due to build-up of fluid on the brain, and the family endured multiple prolonged visits to hospital.
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"Due to Covid restrictions only one of us could be there with Aaron at any time," Nicola added. "My husband and I were like ships in the night. It was very, very hard."
After a round of proton radiotherapy at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, Aaron was well enough to start school in September 2020. Sadly, he relapsed in June 2021 and was rushed back to hospital for another 12-hour surgery. The family were told Aaron had just a 5% chance of surviving his cancer.
He will undergo another cycle of chemotherapy treatment this year, after which he will be monitored indefinitely in case the tumour returns. "It's a very uncertain future," admitted Nicola. "This type of cancer is very unpredictable. We just try to make every day count and make Aaron as happy as can be."
In January this year, Aaron was referred to Make-A-Wish UK, a charity that grants wishes to severely ill children. Aaron had previously asked for a cabin bed at his home to help him "reach the stars" - and last month his wish came true.
"He has a constellation wall in his bedroom, so when we asked him what he'd like for his wish he said, 'my wish is to reach for the stars, and I would like a cabin bed to do that'," Nicola explained. "His face when he saw his new bed was amazing. I don't think he could really believe it. He spends so much time in uncomfortable hospital beds, so now he's got something to look forward to when he comes home – a big bed up in the stars that's just for him. It's going to give him the willpower to get through treatment and come home to his lovely bed."
Although Aaron's wish has now been granted, Make-A-Wish UK said another 39 children like him are still waiting for their wish across Wales. A further 464 children are waiting in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Jason Suckley, chief executive at Make-A-Wish UK, said: "When a child like Aaron is diagnosed with a critical condition, the joy of childhood is brought to an abrupt end with treatment plans, appointments and worry taking over. The power of a wish - in this case, a new cabin bed to reach for the stars - revives a childhood stolen by critical illness, giving Aaron a safe haven in between gruelling treatment.
"With 39 children waiting in Wales alone, we need to raise £97,500 to clear the Wish Map in Wales by World Wish Day on April 29. Critically ill children and their families have been waiting long enough. By donating today at https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/wales, you have the power to light up the darkness for more children like Aaron."
