On 2 February 2020, we took Jackson to our local A&E, as he had what I now know is a petechiae rash on his stomach and back. Jackson’s dad, Shaun, and I knew to get any rashes checked out as we’d already gone through a scary experience when our niece had meningitis. As Jackson’s rash wasn’t going away with the tumbler test, we were very concerned. However, we never imagined it to be leukaemia.
For me, being told my son had cancer felt like the world had stopped. Life changed for ever. It’s surreal to think back and realise how quickly things happened. One day you're sitting on the sofa watching a film with your kids. The next, you're in hospital signing consent forms for potentially life-altering medication to treat a life-threatening condition for your toddler.
Jackson’s treatment hugely impacted family life, especially as it happened at the height of a pandemic. At the time, Jackson’s sister, Ava, was six. We were almost always separated, and Shaun and I would take it in turns to stay with Jackson. In the first year of treatment, we were admitted countless times. With every temperature that hit 38°C, we had to take Jackson into hospital for a 48-hour minimum stay, which is standard protocol.
Jackson’s treatment hugely impacted family life, especially as it happened at the height of a pandemic.
During the hardest parts of Jackson’s treatment, it helped having such an amazing team behind us. The nurses at St Georges were like family and I can’t thank them enough for how they got us through such difficult times. The Royal Marsden also provided Jackson’s sister with a course of art therapy, as she struggled at the beginning and we found it helped her a lot.
Both hospitals gave us great support and information whenever we needed it. We’ve also worked with some amazing charities, such as Momentum Children's Charity, Rays of Sunshine and Lennox Children's Charity Fund. In May this year, Jackson completed the five-mile Banham Marsden March, raising money for The Royal Marsden.
Jackson in remission
Life after treatment
Jackson, now eight, finished treatment in April 2023 and seeing him ring the bell will always be one of my proudest moments. He’s now five years in remission and we celebrate each milestone he encounters. Because of the age he was diagnosed, Jackson missed a lot of school, only starting properly in year 2. However, he’s been thriving ever since.
Since treatment ended, we’ve made some great memories doing things we couldn’t do before. And our family has also grown. Ava and Jackson now have a baby brother called Louie, born last year. We call him our ‘puzzle piece’, and Jackson is besotted with him.
Since Jackson’s diagnosis, I’ve maintained a page about his cancer on Instagram. What started as a way to keep family and friends informed of his treatment has now become a place where I can help others. We've met so many families in the cancer community. It’s something you never want to be a part of, but we’ve made great friendships that will last a lifetime.
Jackson during treatment
My advice to others
I always say to newly-diagnosed families to just take each day as it comes. There will be good days to be enjoyed and taken in, and there will be bad days, where you need to ride the storm. I’d also say it’s important to not be afraid to seek advice or ask questions. No question is a silly one, especially when your world has just been turned upside down and you’re trying to navigate a new way of life. We also found writing a daily diary helped, especially with keeping track of medication.
Although it feels like things won’t get better, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I can’t say the worry ever leaves you, but it certainly gets easier as time passes.
Follow Jackson's journey on Instagram @JacksonsJourney_2020
From Contact magazine issue 109 | Winter 2025
