An inspirational schoolgirl is part of an international trial aimed at learning how to treat lymphoblastic leukaemia more effectively.
Fearne Stewart, five, who is in remission from the leukaemia – a cancer of the white blood cells – was diagnosed at the Royal Hospital for Children, when she was just four in April last year.
Fearne’s mum and dad, Gary and Paula, had travelled there several days earlier by ambulance under blue light from University Hospital Wishaw after tests had shown that she was seriously unwell.
For several weeks prior to this, Fearne had suffered symptoms including bruises, pains in her legs making her struggle to walk and exhaustion.
She also had experienced night sweats, a sore stomach, weight loss, pale skin and repeated infections over a short time.
It was an article on the Cancer Research UK website about symptoms of cancer in children which prompted her parents to get medical advice.
Gary said: “Fearne was only four at the time; we told her that she had a bug in her blood and that the doctors were going to make her better.
“Our son Joseph was still a baby then so Fearne’s mum and I had to take turns sleeping at her bedside in hospital while the other parent looked after Joseph.
“Fearne had beautiful long hair when she was diagnosed and we had to explain to her that the chemotherapy treatment she needed meant that she would lose her hair.
“We thought Fearne would be very upset but actually she adapted well.
“When she felt well enough Fearne was first in the playroom at hospital and we decided early on that if she was fine then we had to be too.”
The youngster is not scheduled to complete chemotherapy until June 2025 next year.
Gary and Paula from Blantyre, South Lanarkshire understand all too well the importance of research.
Fearne is on the UK arm of the AllTogether-1 clinical trial an international study funded by Cancer Research UK involving patients from countries across Europe and is one of the first in Scotland to take part.
The overall aim is to give each child or young adult the right amount of treatment to cure their leukaemia and stop it coming back, while keeping the side effects as low as possible.
Gary, 36, said: “We’re so proud of Fearne, of the resilience our daughter has shown and of her determination during some of the most difficult times in hospital.
“She’s a chatterbox and is enjoying primary one at school. She has joined the Rainbow guides and started swimming lessons. She’s come so far in a year.”
On Wednesday Fearne was the guest of honour at the launch of Cancer Research UK’s new superstore in Crown Street Retail Park, Glasgow.
At the ribbon cutting Fearne joined scientist Professor Victoria Cowling, who has been awarded a grant from the charity to “shoot the messenger” which allows cells to grow in the wrong place in the bowel, leading to cancerous tumours.
Gary said:“Despite everything she has been through she’s been keen to help others. She was already thinking of selling homemade lemonade to raise money to help others so she loves the thought of being able to donate some of her toys and books to the superstore and to do some shopping herself too.
“And as a family we’re glad to have the opportunity to give something back.”
Around 320 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland each year.
Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, said: “We hope Fearne’s story of courage encourages people to support our new superstore in Glasgow so that we can continue to fund the very best scientists in Scotland and across the UK.”