Hugo celebrates his last day of leukaemia treatment

Hugo was just two when he started having problems walking. Over the next few weeks he became tired and pale. His glands swelled and he lost his appetite. After a number of tests, it was finally confirmed that Hugo had childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The lives of Hugo’s family were turned upside down. The possibility of losing their son became very real as their normal, happy family life dissolved around them. His mum Lisa, a Bloodwise Ambassador, said: “When the blood test showed it was leukaemia I was in complete shock. I felt disbelief and fear. My first thought was that we were going to lose him.”

Hugo had six months of intensive chemotherapy. The gruelling regime of drugs took its toll on him physically. His mobility was affected to the point that he had to use a wheelchair to get around. He suffered from sickness and hair loss.

Fortunately, Hugo responded well to the intensive chemotherapy and was able to move onto a plan of maintenance chemotherapy. But he difficulty and uncertainty remained. Hugo spent four days in hospital with an infection and suffered a broken leg. Lisa began to worry if he would ever be able to start school.

Hugo was the face of our fundraising campaign for Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September 2017. He featured on posters on London tube carriages and helped us raise money for vital research and support for people with blood cancer.

In June 2017, Hugo is able to start school with the aid of a wheelchair.

In December 2017, Hugo was able to star in his first school nativity.

Lisa told the Daily Star: “The nativity really was magical because when your child has leukaemia you do worry if they are going to reach certain milestones. The best thing of all was when he came out he wasn’t in his wheelchair… he was walking with his little frame. I wasn’t expecting that. I was just so proud. He banged a drum and rang a bell. It was very emotional.”

Hugo made another landmark achievement in June of this year when he took part in his first sports day.

In early September 2018, he received his last intravenous chemotherapy treatment.

And shortly afterwards, his last dose of steroids.

Today is Hugo's final day of treatment. From everyone at Bloodwise, a huge congratulations to Hugo and family.

Help us support more children like Hugo

Lisa says: "My little boy owes his life to past research projects funded by Bloodwise. Hugo has a very serious, life-changing illness, but he’s still with us. Every day he makes me so proud of how he doesn’t let the harsh effects of his treatment stop him smiling or having fun.

"Every day in Britain, another family is told their child has blood cancer. Not all of them will survive. Please will you help Bloodwise fund research into a cure, and make treatment better for people with blood cancer?"

Not every child with blood cancer is as fortunate as Hugo. We need your help to make sure children like Hugo survive diagnoses of blood cancer.