A little lad's trip to out-of-hours medics has potentially saved his life - after a high temperature and bruising around his body turned out to be a horrifying illness.
Jaxon Crawford, now aged six, was taken to see doctors by mum Kelly Brunning when he was two. She was concerned as the young twin had a constant high temperature and medics then spotted a bruise on his tummy.
He had other bruises which Kelly, from Blacon in Cheshire, thought were due to him bumping himself as he had also just been diagnosed with an eye condition. But when the bruising didn't disappear, Jaxon was sent to the Countess of Chester Hospital for blood tests - and it was revealed he had acute lymphoid leukaemia, CheshireLive reports.
Jaxon, whose twin brother is Eli, was admitted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital immediately. At the time, single mum Kelly was six months pregnant with the twins’ younger brother Dylan, who is now aged four. Jaxon was given 30 days of steroids as well as starting intensive chemotherapy.
Kelly, who is now aged 30, took early maternity leave from her job with the Post Office, staying at the hospital with Jaxon while Eli was cared for by family at home. Initial tests after the first bout of treatment showed Jaxon needed even more intensive chemotherapy.
He lost his hair, which he was really shocked and upset by. But Kelly reassured him by telling him he had magic hair which would grow back once he was out of hospital.
Jaxon was then placed on two years of maintenance treatment which meant taking oral chemotherapy every night at home in addition to ongoing chemotherapy at Alder Hey, lumbar punctures and steroids.
Kelly said Jaxon is now 12 months out of treatment and doing really well, loving being at school with his two brothers. He still needs check-ups every three months.
Kelly explained she had found readjusting to normal life harder than she expected after the regular safety net of seeing doctors and nurses most weeks for three and a half years. More than half of Jaxon’s life has been taken up by illness.
She said: "The last few years have been a really stressful, awful time with so much going on. My pregnancy with Dylan wasn’t enjoyable and I felt real guilt by all the time spent away from Dylan and Eli when they were so young.
"I am very proud of Jaxon for settling in so well at primary school and getting on with life. I recently panicked when he was covered in bruises and feared he had relapsed, but then he told me he had been playing football with the older boys!"
Jaxon, a pupil at Dee Point Primary School, has now received an award for his bravery. He has been presented with a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award, in partnership with TK Maxx, having been nominated by his mum.
Every child nominated receives the accolade, which is backed by a host of famous faces including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, TV personality Dr Ranj and popular children’s TV presenter Mister Maker.
There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. The awards are open to all children under 18 who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years.
As well as a star shaped trophy, Jaxon also received a £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities. His twin brother Eli received a certificate too.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, Jane Bullock, said: "Jaxon is a real star who has been through so much at such a young age. It has been an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate his courage with a Star Award.
"As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the progress made in the fight against the disease, but there’s still much further to go. Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults, from the types of cancer to the impact of treatment - and many youngsters may experience serious long-term side effects.
"That’s why we’re supporting dedicated research to ensure more children and young people survive cancer with a good quality of life. We’re urging people in Cheshire to nominate inspirational children like Jaxon for a Star Award now, so that many more affected by this devastating disease can receive the acknowledgement they so richly deserve."
The Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx, the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s and young people’s cancers. Since 2004, the retailer has raised more than £42million for vital research to help improve survival and reduce the long-term side effects of treatments.
Group marketing and corporate responsibility director at TJX Europe, Deborah Dolce, said: "As part of our commitment to support children and young people facing cancer, TK Maxx is delighted to support the Star Awards for the 14th year running.
"The awards recognise the incredible bravery and determination these children show as they undergo treatment and we are in awe of each and every one of them. Cancer Research UK is working tirelessly to improve survival rates and reduce long term side effects, and we are very pleased to continue to support their vital work."
To nominate a star visit cruk.org/starawards.
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