CHristmas 2018 is one that Emma Holden will never forget.

Her precious two-year-old son Alfie was undergoing chemotherapy at Sheffield Children’s Hospital for a rare form of cancer.

“As a family we love Christmas. While this year will be different as we continue to all unite together against coronavirus, it will be very special to us as our son Alfie will be at home opening presents with the biggest grin on his face after undergoing chemotherapy,” explains Emma.

Little Alfie Powell pictured with his mum Emma during his chemotherapy treatment

It was during the summer of 2018 that doctors diagnosed Alfie, from Worsbrough Dale, near Barnsley, with stage two kidney cancer – he had a Wilms’ tumour.

“Christmas that year wasn’t like we imagined it would be, as Alfie was nearing the end of his six months of chemotherapy treatment,” recalls Emma.

“Whilst many were organising parties and buying presents, we were on the Cancer and Leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.”

Alfie won a competition for a festive photoshoot which will always remind his parents of that worrying time,

Alfie is now four and in remission and looking forward to Christmas

Now a heartfelt letter from Emma on behalf of Alfie, his father Aaron Powell and sister Sophie, has been used to launch the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity annual Christmas appeal to raise money for a new Cancer and Leukaemia ward.

And the family has raised nearly £4,000 for the hospital to thank staff for saving Alfie’s life.

Their journey began back in 2018 when Alfie slipped on one of his toys, which wasn’t unusual, but a few hours later that evening he was still in pain and pointed to his back as it was hurting.

“I took him to our local hospital, but everything seemed to calm down, so we went home assuming he had just pulled something in his back,” says Emma, who also has step-daughter Sophie.

“But as soon as we got home he was sick, red hot and we did not sleep at all that night. We took him back to hospital and after blood tests, a chest x-ray and an ultrasound, the doctors found the tumour.

“We were all heartbroken. I still struggle to put into words how we felt after seeing Alfie in so much pain. He was screaming, crying and he’d start again when anyone walked into the room.”

Alfie was referred to Sheffield Children’s Hospital and that is where the family met what they describe as ‘our heroes; the amazing staff, doctors, nurses and play specialists’.

“We found the care simply amazing. On our first night there, a nurse told us: ‘Don’t worry, we’re like a big family here’ and it is certainly true. They all learned to understand Alfie, his ways and how to deal with him so quickly. They helped to bring him on as a person so much and it made it all that bit easier for us.”

Alfie ringing the bell at Sheffield Children's Hospital signaling the end of his cancer treatment

At first, Alfie didn’t walk for 10 days and even when he started again, it was like he was a baby learning to walk again for the first time, trying to find his balance.

“When he was first diagnosed, we were in a small room with no windows or natural light. Eventually, we moved onto the open ward, but it was cramped and Alfie was definitely not a quiet child so we felt bad for disturbing all the other patients.”

A few weeks later, Alfie went back for an operation to remove his tumour and the affected kidney.

“We stayed on one of the new wards after his operation to remove his tumour and his kidney. You can see the massive difference in how much more comfortable it is for the patient as well as the family. The new bedrooms were bright and spacious with privacy. Alfie loved it and I am sure it helped him with his recovery.

“We would love to help bring these bedrooms to the Cancer and Leukaemia ward as some patients are there for long periods of time.

“For us, every week got ‘easier’ as Alfie became used to going into clinic, although it cost us a fortune – in treats.”

Just days before his third birthday, they got the phone call to say Alfie was all-clear. “It was such a relief. Seeing him ring the bell was an amazing feeling I will never forget.

“We’re determined to help make the ward better for all the children and families that are about to begin their journey there, and for the friends that we’ve made along the way that are still carrying on. It’s our way of saying thank you for saving our son’s life.

“If you are able to make a donation, please rest assured it will make a difference for families like ours.”

Lucy Rathbone, regional fundraising officer at the Children’s Hospital Charity said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Alfie’s family for sharing their very moving story to support the fundraising for a new Cancer and Leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s. With your help, we can ensure that patients, families and staff have the facilities to match the excellent care provided.”

The Children’s Hospital Charity is trying to raise £2.75m to transform the Cancer and Leukaemia ward, by creating more single patient bedrooms with en-suite facilities, giving the opportunity for more patients to make the place their own.

The ward provides treatment for cancer and blood disorders in children from babies through to 19-year-olds in South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire but sees patients from across the UK for chemotherapy, operations, and bone marrow transplants.

As for Alfie, he is still a regular at Sheffield Children’s as he has had to have casts on his legs due to side-effects of the chemotherapy. But he doesn’t let it hold him back, he is enjoying school and looking forward to Christmas.

“He’s been through a magazine and circled everything he wants – which is a lot,” laughs Emma.

COVID-19 has meant the Children’s Hospital Charity  is looking at a 50 per cent shortfall in its funding this year. The charity has altered its  advice to supporters significantly – some suggestions include:

Text NES to 70085 to donate £10 or text NES 5 to 70085 to donate £5. Texts cost £5 or £10 plus one standard rate message.

There is still space on the snowflake appeal. This is a snowflake display on sites across Sheffield and Alfie’s home town of Barnsley. It’s raised over £1m since 2013

Mum’s heartfelt letter thanking staff for saving son launches hospital’s Christmas appeal

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