Holly's World Shattered: From Rash to Leukaemia in Days

A Family's Journey Through Cancer

Holly Hall was on holiday with her family in Majorca when she first developed a rash on her body. Upon returning home to the UK, her mother, Toni, took her to see the GP who prescribed some cream. However, this failed to clear the rash, as did a course of antibiotics. By this time, the four-year-old was becoming increasingly sleepy and lethargic.

Eventually, Holly was referred to her local hospital in Cheshire for blood tests, which revealed the family’s worst fears—she had B cell leukaemia. Toni recalls the moment: “When you are told this is leukaemia, your whole world comes crashing down. You never expect your child to develop cancer. She was four years old and had 97 per cent blast cells in her system.”

The extent of the cancer meant Holly needed to begin treatment immediately. She was blue-lighted to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool in June 2023. There, she underwent the first of what would ultimately be 30 lumbar puncture procedures. A Hickman line was also inserted into her chest so she could begin chemotherapy.

“It all happened so quickly,” says Toni. “It was horrific, it was madness, it was like a tornado had hit with everything going on.” At the same time, Toni had her son Declan, then aged 12, and daughter Alivia, then aged 11, at home.

It was during this bewildering time that the charity Young Lives vs Cancer entered her life, in the form of specialist social worker Kath.

The i Paper’s Christmas Appeal this year aims to raise £100,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer, the only UK charity with specialist social workers providing tailored support to children and young people with cancer, as well as their families. It also offers a Home from Home service giving families accommodation near hospitals.

“I remember going to the nurses station and I just said, ‘Help,’” says Toni. “Somebody got in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer. I met Kath and everything changed, everything became a bit more bearable.”

One of the first things Kath was able to do for single mum Toni was obtain financial assistance for her. The events co-ordinator was unable to work as she was traveling to and from the hospital constantly and staying overnight with Holly. She was also facing fuel costs of £75 a week driving from home in Northwich, Cheshire, to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, and paying for food while away from home.

“The financial strain was immediate and severe,” says Toni. “As a self-employed individual, I quickly maxed out my credit cards. I had all these bills coming out and I couldn’t go to work.”

Kath sat down with Toni and helped her fill in benefit claim forms to assist with living costs while she was unable to work. While Holly was undergoing chemotherapy, her brother Declan was diagnosed with a benign tumour in his heel, which he had to have removed by keyhole surgery in Wrexham. It meant Toni was torn between two children at two different hospitals.

Kath stepped in to pick up the slack. And when Toni needed someone to talk to about all that was happening to their family, it was Kath she would WhatsApp. “She was my go-to person,” said Toni. “She would sit with Holly when I needed a break. Even if she walked past the glass window and saw us, she would pop in to say hi. It’s those little things that matter and are so needed.”

Holly had chemotherapy for just over two years and is now in remission, with regular reviews. She is in Year One at primary school and thriving. For Toni, the transition back to a form of normal life has been a little more tricky but aided by having Kath still on the other end of the phone.

“There are so many changes of anxiety,” says Toni. “It was good to have the regular blood tests because that gave you confidence. Now everything is on me to be vigilant.”

But Holly’s diagnosis and treatment has spurred her on to a career change: the 40-year-old is retraining to be a talking therapist. “I would never have been able to do this without the lived experience with Holly,” she says.

Reflecting on her family’s experience, she says Young Lives vs Cancer were “crucial” during Holly’s treatment: “Without them I wouldn’t have had any support in the hospital. I couldn’t imagine not having them there, I needed them. In a world that is so alien, Young Lives vs Cancer grounds you.”

A Home for Christmas Appeal

The i Paper is proud to support Young Lives vs Cancer through its Christmas Appeal, A Home for Christmas, helping to make a lasting difference for families with children facing cancer.

The appeal aims to raise £100,000 to ensure the charity can continue providing vital, tailored support—from financial guidance and emotional care to its “Homes from Home” accommodation centres, which allow families to stay together near hospital during treatment.

To donate, visit younglivesvscancer.org.uk/i-appeal or text IPAPERTEN to 70580 to donate £10 or IPAPERTWENTY to donate £20.

*Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.

What Your Money Could Buy

• £5 could print five storybooks to help a child understand the cancer treatment they are having.
• £10 could buy food so families can cook a meal to enjoy together away from the hospital canteen.
• £18 helps power a Home from Home for a day.
• £52 means a social worker could provide emotional and practical support (such as applying for financial help or attending difficult appointments) so children and their families don’t have to face cancer alone.
• £70 could pay for a family stay in a Young Lives vs Cancer Home from Home so they can be near their child in hospital with cancer.
• £100 could fund a hardship grant for families.