Mum of Leeds boy who fought cancer in plea over Candlelighters Christmas appeal

The mum of a six year old Leeds boy who has battled cancer is urging people to back a Christmas appeal to help a charity which has given her family "immeasurable" support.
The Thorpe family from Colton in Leeds , who are supporting the Candlelighters Christmas Appeal Lauren Thorpe with son Elijah.

Picture: Gary LongbottomThe Thorpe family from Colton in Leeds , who are supporting the Candlelighters Christmas Appeal Lauren Thorpe with son Elijah.

Picture: Gary Longbottom
The Thorpe family from Colton in Leeds , who are supporting the Candlelighters Christmas Appeal Lauren Thorpe with son Elijah. Picture: Gary Longbottom

Lauren Thorpe, of Colton, said Candlelighters have been like a second family ever since son Elijah was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 19 months old.

Fundraising for Candlelighters - which is entirely dependent on community support - has suffered massively due to the Covid pandemic.

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Lauren, 33, said: "It is such an amazing charity, the care, and support they provide to families who are going through the hardest time is just immeasurable.

The Thorpe family from Colton in Leeds , who are supportin g the Candlelighters Christmas Appeal.
Pictured (left to right) Lauren, Elijah, Jamaine and Emilio.The Thorpe family from Colton in Leeds , who are supportin g the Candlelighters Christmas Appeal.
Pictured (left to right) Lauren, Elijah, Jamaine and Emilio.
The Thorpe family from Colton in Leeds , who are supportin g the Candlelighters Christmas Appeal. Pictured (left to right) Lauren, Elijah, Jamaine and Emilio.

"We will forever be thankful for all Candlelighters have done for us as a family."

Lauren and Elijah's dad Jamaine, 41, were devastated when he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and serious neurological condition OMS in July 2016.

Elijah had five months of chemotherapy to shrink the tumour on his adrenal gland.

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The day before his second birthday, Elijah underwent a nine hour operation when surgeons removed 95 per cent of the tumour.

Elijah Thorpe pictured in hospitalElijah Thorpe pictured in hospital
Elijah Thorpe pictured in hospital

He had 12 months of immunotherapy treatment and another eight hour operation.

Elijah has now been in remission from cancer for more than three years.

Throughout his treatment, Elijah and his family were able to take time out at The Square, a Candlelighters building near Leeds Children's Hospital.

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The Square gives children and families a space away from hospital to mix and relax with others affected by childhood cancer.

And volunteers offer families support through talking therapies

Lauren, who also has a two year old son called Emilio, said: "Elijah would always look forward to visiting The Square after any hospital treatment or appointment to go and have a play with some toys and have an ice-lolly."

"On long stays on the ward, The Square offered me some respite with a friendly face, a cup of tea, and even a massage, making me feel like I was a million miles away from the hospital, but with the comfort of knowing I wasn’t really far away.

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"Candlelighters also provide respite breaks for families who have a child on treatment.

" ️We were lucky enough to go to Centre Parcs, and it was such a special break away from reality, for us to spend together as a family.

"To anyone who is thinking of doing any fundraising in the future, please think of Candlelighters.

"It is such an amazing charity, the care, and support they provide to families who are going through the hardest time is just immeasurable."

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During the Covid pandemic Candlelighters are hosting virtual events for families at home and on the wards at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

And they continue to offer children’s and adults talking therapies, wellbeing sessions, peer support groups and Christmas grants to help families.

For children and families spending Christmas on the wards, Candlelighters have arranged special Christmas Eve boxes, personal messages from Santa and Christmas dinners.

Emily Wragg, chief executive officer of Candlelighters, said: “We are proud to have supported families affected by childhood cancer for over 40 years and our support has not wavered due to Covid-19.

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"Sadly, over 150 children are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire every year, and we are determined to be there for each and every one of them, to make their lives a little brighter.

"This Christmas, we hope to give these children and families at least some of the Christmas they deserve and it is thanks to our generous supporters that we are able to do this.

"Our fundraising has suffered a huge hit this year, and if anyone is able to make a donation to Candlelighters this Christmas, it will mean the world to us and to families like Elijah’s.”

For more details on how to donate, or ideas on how you can support Candlelighters this Christmas, click here or call them on 0113 322 9283.

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