A YOUNG girl’s cancer battle has inspired a huge fundraising effort for Bristol Children’s Hospital.
Sienna Mullins was diagnosed with leukaemia in April, at just two years old.
She then had to undergo urgent treatment and spent two weeks in hospital immediately after her diagnosis.
She is currently undergoing six months of “very intense” chemotherapy treatment, with a nurse coming four times a week to inject her, and faces two years of treatment in total.
She also needs four to five visits to the hospital every month for lumbar punctures and general anaesthetic for extra chemotherapy for her brain and spine.
Parents Jo and Joe said their lives were turned upside down when Sienna “flaked” during a family holiday with their three children to Disneyland, to celebrate Joe’s 40th birthday.
At first she was believed to have a viral infection but it failed to clear for weeks.
Sienna (pictured above with Jo) then became very unwell while visiting her grandparents and, when Jo discovered unusual spots and bruising they decided to take her to hospital as a precaution.
She underwent tests immediately and her parents were told that she had leukaemia and needed urgent, invasive treatment.
Sienna ‘bouncing back’ after week of ‘hell’
Jo said the first week was “hell” for the family, but as the treatment has progressed Sienna is “bouncing back”.
She said: “She’s amazing.”
Steroid treatment means the youngster can go from being grumpy and sad to being hungry at 4am or off her food entirely.
Jo said: “I’m not sure what lies ahead but these first 6-8 months are the most intense.
“It is treatable; Sienna can recover. We’re grateful for the type of leukaemia it is – it could be so much worse, but there is no guarantee it won’t return.”
Jo now wants to help raise awareness of the illness, as well as funds for the Grand Appeal, the children’s hospital’s charity.
She has been overwhelmed by the support of her community in Chipping Sodbury and Hollie Dennis, the co-owner of First Steps day nursery in Hounds Road.
Hollie set up a JustGiving page for the Grand Appeal, as a thank you for their vital support to-date for Sienna and her family and to help support other families.
As the Voice went to print it had raised more than £7,000, including from a raffle held on July 17, with 50 prizes, including a trip to Alton Towers, donated by well-wishers and sponsors.
Sienna said: “The Grand Appeal funds an amazing playroom, which when you are in for 14 days becomes a lifeline, toys, DVDs, games, play therapists, music and art.
“They have a parent’s room which provides a fridge, kettle, TV – the essentials for parents who may be staying in long-term, for 12 weeks-plus.
“These are things you do not think of when you are rushed in through A&E.
“From nappies, toiletries, a treasure chest of goodies when the children have an operation. They have made it such a welcoming place and treat the children as much as possible.”
More fundraising is planned, including a cookie sale at the nursery and a fitness event planned in September.
The donation page can be found here.