Danielle Everson noticed something was off when her six-year-old son Kian couldn’t fully enjoy Christmas day due to feeling unwell. She initially chalked it up to a virus, but when Kian developed a rash and bruises, along with extreme fatigue, Danielle became concerned. After googling his symptoms and suspecting leukaemia, Danielle took her son to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
ALL is the most common type of leukaemia diagnosed in children, with 440 cases diagnosed in the UK annually. Kian underwent intense chemotherapy and steroid treatment for eight months, followed by maintenance treatment, which he will continue until 2025.
Kian, now eight years old, has returned to school and is eager to resume his favourite hobby of kickboxing. Despite the challenges that come with Kian’s treatment, his twin brother Kelan stands by his side, supporting him every step of the way.
In recognition of Kian’s resilience, he has been chosen as the face of TK Maxx and Cancer Research UK’s “Give up Clothes for Good” campaign in Wales. The campaign urges the public to donate pre-loved fashion and homeware to their local TK Maxx store, with the proceeds from each bag of donated items going towards research into children’s and young people’s cancers.
Danielle and Kian hope that their story will inspire others in Wales to participate in the campaign, emphasizing the importance of supporting Cancer Research UK’s efforts in finding treatments and ultimately saving lives.
Source: WalesOnline, Cancer Research UK
