Fighter Aaron is full of cheer
AT the age of just 13, cancer fighter and fund-raiser Aaron Buckingham is no stranger to being separated from the outside world.
After being diagnosed with Non-hodgkins lymphoma at the age of 10, Aaron had to endure years of painful treatment, but he had imagined the ordeal would soon be over with his final session nearing.
However, he and his family have once again had their lives put on hold, as coronavirus restrictions and Aaron’s heightened vulnerability have led to more months of following strict guidelines to protect him.
Over the past months, many of us have been pushed to our limits through experiencing social and physical confinement, but, with the knowledge that treatment would soon be finished, Aaron had been glad it would all soon be over and everything could get back to normal.
Previously, Aaron had not been able to do things that many of us perhaps take for granted.
He said: “I wasn’t allowed near any building sites, I wasn’t allowed near any zoos or farms, I couldn’t eat runny eggs or food done rare or re-heated food.
“I found PE and exercise difficult.”
Many of the youngest in society might be pleased at the prospect of no school but, for Aaron, attending school had become a privilege during his treatment.
He said: “I didn’t like missing time off school, because I was missing out on work and my friends.
“I was looking forward to being normal after treatment and being able to feel healthy at school and able to join in the things my friends do without feeling rubbish.”
Aaron’s selfless fund-raising began to hit the headlines when he was just 10 years old and he brushed aside his newly diagnosed condition to raise money for the other children in his ward.
His charity, the ABC Fund, has now raised more than £20,000. But raising so much money was not the final challenge he would face, as the coronavirus lockdown has now taken a further toll on his spirits.
His mother Donna Udall explained: “It has been easy enough to shield him, as in keeping him in the house, but mentally it has been draining, as he still can’t do what his peers are doing.”
Another restriction Aaron has had to endure is not seeing his dad.
While lockdown laws are relaxed for those with parents living apart, this is unfortunately not the case for Aaron.
He said: “I haven’t been able to even stay at my dad’s as he works all over the country so it wouldn’t be safe for me to go.”
The final treatment of any cancer survivor is always a moment to remember but Aaron’s special day was not as special as he anticipated.
He explained: “It was pretty rubbish. We couldn’t celebrate properly.
“Only my mum could come to hospital on my last treatment day and we couldn’t ring the bell to say our treatment was finished.”
However, Aaron’s neighbours gathered as he arrived back from the ward, to make his day one to remember.
He said: “When we arrived back home all our neighbours were lined outside their houses all clapping and cheering.”
Aaron’s community have further pulled together to help the family through this challenging time.
Ms Udall said: “Neighbours have been great at helping with shopping, etc.
“But we are now worried the virus will get out of control again and we will have to stay in for longer.”
Aaron said: “Isolation is a lot worse than when I had treatment as at least I was allowed out of the house then, when I was feeling low.”