A MUM has shared her brave story of her son's cancer battle to mark a special month highlighting the illness.
Jasmin Sarll, from Southminster, saw her life turned upside-down after son Hugo, four, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma in October 2022.
Now, to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, she has told her story.
Hugo had been suffering from a bad tummy for a couple of weeks.
Within a few days, he was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where his parents were given the news he had cancer.
Jasmin spoke of the day he was diagnosed and the struggles they have faced as a family.
She said: “I could barely walk, it was a big shock because you never expect it.
"I googled enlarged liver, and the worst-case scenario was cancer, but I thought it was not going to be that he’s just got a tummy ache.
“Our social worker has been amazing, she’s been there since day one helping with the forms helping with a chat, she’s applied for so many grants for us.
“There were a few months we couldn’t even afford to pay our rent, we had to budget for every single little thing we did.”
Hugo went on to have ten rounds of chemotherapy treatment followed by a liver transplant.
He spent months in and out of hospital in London, miles away from home.
Hugo’s family were supported by Young Lives vs Cancer, the only charity in the UK with specialist social workers dedicated to providing tailored emotional and practical care and support to children and young people with cancer, and their families.
After months of treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, Hugo is now in remission and doing well, as he prepares to start school this September.
Rachel Kirby-Rider, chief executive at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “Today, 12 more children and young people like Hugo in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer.
"Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years.
"Children can often feel isolated, and we need to ensure they are being given the right support they need for their mental wellbeing during and after treatment.
“This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month we want to raise vital awareness of the needs to improve cancer services for children and how people can help support them.”
To find out more about Young Lives vs Cancer, visit younglivesvscancer.org.uk/support-us/childhood-cancer-awareness-month/.
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