A teenage boy diagnosed with cancer after weeks of horrifying symptoms tearfully told his mum: "I don't want to die".
Harley Telford, 15, visited his GP several times after noticing lumps and swelling all over his body, as well as experiencing extreme weight loss, in the five weeks leading up to his diagnosis.
His family raced him back to the doctors' surgery after he turned "white as a sheet", reports Leeds Live.
The schoolboy, from Belle Isle, West Yorkshire, was diagnosed with leukaemia last Wednesday and has been undergoing chemotherapy at Leeds General Infirmary.
His stepdad Kris Millard, 35, has told of how Harley and his mum Joanne, 41, have been suffering ever since.
He said: "[Harley's] struggling at the minute with chemo, he’s been sick and sleeping all day. He likes to go out a lot, so it’s a big change for him.
"When he found out he was crying, saying he doesn’t want to die and stuff like that. We’re just trying to remain positive for him.
"He was saying it to his mum at the hospital. They’re very close. He’s like 6ft tall is Harley, she calls him her giant baby. So she’s been breaking down every day."
Harley’s brother Kieran, 19, and 17-year-old sister Darcy, 17, have also been left devastated by the diagnosis.
It is not the first time the family has been affected by cancer, after Harley's dad Shane died of the disease three years ago.
Kris said doctors are confident that Harley can be treated, however, and they expect him to be back home within five months.
He is now raising money to treat the "strong" lad to a holiday of his choice and a quad bike when he leaves the hospital.
Kris, who works as a bricklayer wrote on the fundraiser: "On Wednesday 19th of October we got the devastating news that Harley was diagnosed with leukaemia.
"Harley is only 15 year old and is in hospital and expected to be there for 5 months.
"We are trying to raise money for when Harley is fit and well to be able to treat himself and be able to take Harley away to a place of his choice. Any money left will be donated to the ward Harley is on."
He has so far raised over £3,000, saying he will donate anything leftover to the hospital ward where Harley is currently staying.
Kris has also arranged a hair shaving fundraiser at Garden Gate pub in Hunslet on November 12, where around 30 locals have agreed to shave their hair in support of the schoolboy, who will be losing his hair during chemotherapy treatment.
If you wish to donate to Harley’s fundraiser, click the link here.
