Father's Leukemia Battle: A Call for Awareness

0:00On March 11th, a father from Warranton is urging parents to watch for leukemia warning signs after his 12-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare, high-risk form. Stephen McAlley initially brushed off Ollie's tiredness and lower back pain as flu symptoms, but his wife, a nurse, insisted on a doctor's visit in, February 2025. Symptoms first appeared during a family Christmas holiday in New York City in December 2024, where Ollie seemed well, but tests there, pointed to a simple virus. Back home in January, the issues persisted, including sharp back pain at the cinema and during football practice, finally prompting that urgent GP. Appointment The family faced shock when blood tests at Warranton Hospital confirmed leukemia that same night, leading to immediate transfer to all their hay, children's hospital for chemotherapy the next day. Stephen broke the news to his other kids, aged 20 and 17, in the early hours, as everyone grappled with confusion and fear.

1:01Ollie has shown remarkable resilience through brutal chemo and immunotherapy over a 25-month plan with his cancer now undetectable butt, requiring regular checks until April 20th, 27. A stem cell transplant remains a possibility down the line. Stephen, who donated stem cells years ago through Anthony Nolan, is running the London Marathon on April 26th to raise awareness and boost. Donor signups. He hopes his story encourages quick action on kids' symptoms and more people joining the registry.