A brave West Lothian schoolboy who battled cancer is sharing his story to help other young people diagnosed with the disease.
Leo Barker (11) is back at school and winning medals again at judo competitions thanks to research to improve survival and reduce long-term side effects for children and young people with cancer.
Leo, from Livingston, has been picked as the face of a nationwide campaign to help young people diagnosed with the disease.
He had a life-saving liver transplant during the pandemic and now stars in a poster appeal for Cancer Research UK to mark this September’s childhood cancer awareness month.
A photograph of Leo, from Livingston, during cancer treatment with gold balloons in the background will feature in the windows of the charity’s shops this autumn.
In Scotland, around 140 youngsters are diagnosed with cancer each year.
Leo said: “Thanks to life-saving treatment I’m back at school and back on the judo mat.
“In June 2020 when the world was in lockdown I was diagnosed with cancer in my liver. My mum took me to the doctor because I had a lump in my stomach. Later that day the doctors in the hospital told me it was cancer.
"Everything happened so fast. I had chemotherapy and eventually needed a liver transplant. I was flown down by air ambulance to Birmingham Children’s hospital where I had my transplant.
“I was dancing six days later. I am so happy to be feeling better and to have my strength back.
"I am loving spending time with friends and competing on the judo mat again. I recently won a bronze medal at the British Judo schools championships. I am so grateful to all the doctors and nurses and research teams that helped make me better.”
Leo’s mum Laura (41), dad Stephen (44) and brother Cole (14) understand all too well the importance of new discoveries and breakthroughs that could help more youngsters survive cancer with a good quality of life.
Laura said: “We are so proud that Leo is a poster boy for this crucial campaign.
“I’m proud of Leo for approaching every day with a smile and proud of my older son Cole for the strength he’s showed and for helping to keep Leo smiling. They’re a team and are close as brothers.
“I hope Leo’s story will help other families going through cancer. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Scots can support research to help save more lives by picking up a gold ribbon badge- the awareness symbol of Childhood Cancer Awareness month- available from Cancer Research UK shops and selected TK Maxx stores during September.
Cancer Research UK celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2022, but its history dates back to the founding of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in 1902.
Thanks in part to the charity’s work, children’s cancer survival in the UK has more than doubled since the 1970s when just over a third of children diagnosed survived beyond ten years – today, it’s around 8 in 10.**
Cancer Research UK spokeswoman in Scotland, Lisa Adams said: “This year marks our 20th anniversary, and so we’re reflecting on the huge progress that has been made thanks to the generosity of our supporters. But, together we can go further.
“Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults – from the types of cancer to the impact of treatment and the long-term side effects survivors often experience. So, it needs different, dedicated research, that we’re grateful to people across Scotland for helping to fund. We hope people will wear a gold ribbon pin badge with pride this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, for making our life-saving work possible.”
Supporters can also raise money by donating any pre-loved quality fashion and homeware at TK Maxx, as part of its Give Up Clothes for Good campaign. When sold in Cancer Research UK shops, each bag of items donated could raise up to £25, or £31 with Retail Gift Aid. Since 2004, TK Maxx has raised over £40 million to help more youngsters survive cancer with a good quality of life.
Find out more about how to get involved at cruk.org/childrenandyoungpeople
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