Early year cancers in focus

West Lothian has been going for gold to raise awareness of devastating childhood cancers.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and various locations around the county have joined others around the world to be lit up or transformed and ‘ Glow Gold’.

And among them were Jak’s Den, Livingston Designer Outlet and the Pyramids at Bathgate, who all displayed the gold ribbon in support of Glow Gold September.

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer in children so everyone know what to look out for so a diagnosis can be made quickly, which could in turn save lives. Allison Barr, whose son Jak passed away last year from a rare and aggressive form of cancer, was one of the parents instrumental in launching Glow Gold September.

Allison said it’s vitally important that people know the symptoms of cancer.

She said: “This has been an amazing experience and real privilege for us at Team Jak to be a part of something so special and I love the fact it’s brought all the small children’s cancer charities together.

“This can only be good for raising awareness in what is sadly the biggest killer of children in our country.”

Many charities who support families coping with cancer have signed up to support the campaign.

These include Bloodwise, Clic Sargent, CCLG, CRUK Kids and Teens and CCLASP.

Jill Robinson, regional fundraising manager for CLIC Sargent, explained: “We are delighted to support Glow Gold during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

“It is so important that more members of the public are made aware of the impact of childhood and young cancer on families. Throughout the month we have been raising awareness of the financial difficulties these families can find themselves in as they have to travel more for hospital visits, spend more on food, and often see their income drop as a parent stops working.

“Glow Gold is a wonderful initiative which is hugely helpful in raising the profile of childhood cancer patients and their families.”

Symptoms of cancer in children can include continued, unexplained weight loss, headaches, often with early morning vomiting, increased swelling or persistent pain in the bones, joints, back, or legs lump or mass, especially in the abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, or armpits, development of excessive bruising, bleeding, or rash.

Also look out for constant, frequent, or persistent infections, a whitish colour behind the eye that persists or vomiting without nausea, constant tiredness or noticeable paleness.