‘Betsy’s bravery and the support we’ve had helps us in the dark times’
CHARLOTTE SMITH knows that when she looks back on the dark times that have followed her daughter’s leukaemia diagnosis, there will be the light of knowing how much people care.
Little Betsy Williams’ family have been overwhelmed with the support they have received since doctors delivered the devastating news in March last year.
Charlotte knew there was something badly wrong when her normally fit and healthy daughter, then aged five, became pale, was tired all the time, and complained of having stomach or leg pains. At first the GP thought it might be viral but physiotherapist Charlotte had a “gut feeling” it was something more sinister.
“All the red flags were there,” said the 38-year-old mum of two daughters.
“She was sweating in the night, very tired, and complaining of pains. Every child presents differently but on our fourth visit to the GP they did a blood test and we were sent to the hospital.”
Despite having a feeling something was badly wrong, Charlotte says she was still “shellshocked” when doctors diagnosed Betsy with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Charlotte’s partner Christian, who trains racehorses, was away working at Cheltenham Races and she wasn’t able to get in contact with him until later that day.
“That was the longest day of my life,” said Charlotte. “I couldn’t tell anyone before I spoke to Christian.
“He had been very positive about what was wrong so was totally shocked when he heard.”
The medical team at the Princess of Wales hospital in Bridgend moved quickly and Betsy had had an operation within a day of the diagnosis and two days later started the chemotherapy treatment that will continue until May 2025.
Betsy has a good prognosis but the treatments at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff are gruelling.
Her family say that through the darkest times, the level of support they have received from friends, people locally, and the horseracing community has been “overwhelming”. More than £100k has been raised in Betsy’s name for children’s cancer charity Latch and research organisation Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group.
Last summer, hundreds of friends and family gathered in Bridgend to take part in a 2km run on Betsy’s sixth birthday. The schoolgirl took part too and had a huge smile on her face as everyone sang Happy Birthday before they set off on the Junior Parkrun at Newbridge Fields.
Charlotte said: “Betsy is so strong. She never complains. Even though she has gone through some scary procedures, she takes it all in her stride.
“All the children in her ward are amazing. They come out of surgery and 10 minutes later they are playing. And the staff are amazing.
“I felt safe from the moment I walked into the ward and it has made life that bit easier. Betsy’s bravery and the support we have had helps us through the dark times. We appreciate the kindness more than ever before.
“At the start a lot of friends and people we knew said they felt useless and didn’t know how they could help us.
“Latch have been such a support to us so we suggested that people could help that way or by giving blood. The response has been amazing. One event at Chepstow Races raised £30,000 on its own and one of the jockeys, Alan Johns, is running the Loch Ness marathon and has raised thousands.”
The family are particularly keen on raising money for Latch because of how it has helped the family since Betsy’s diagnosis. It provides accommodation at the hospital which means that their older daughter Tilly can stay with them during any stays that are needed and they have organised special days out for all the family. “On one of the first days in the hospital I sat with one of the staff there who know exactly what you are going through,” said Charlotte.
“I sat on a sofa with one of them and just bawled my eyes out and they were just there to give me advice and help us through it.
“They are based at the hospital so it is easy to go and see them if you need it or they will pop down and check how everyone is coping.
“It can be hard to reach out sometimes but they make it easy to do so.”
The family has also built up strong friendships with some of the other parents children who are being treated at the hospital.
“No-one else quite knows what you are going through like someone whose child is also receiving treatment.
“We have a WhatsApp group and will help each other out when someone is having a difficult day.”
Then there is the support they have received from family and friends.
“The support has blown us away and we just hope people appreciate how much their kindness has helped us.
“We know at the moment times are hard for many people so to have raised this amount of money is just amazing.
“I keep a record of all the wonderful things people have done to show Betsy when she is older. I think we will look back and know that even though we are going through the worst of times, the good things outweigh the horrible times. When Betsy looks back she will hopefully remember some nice things – not just doom and gloom.”
I sat on a sofa with one of them and just bawled my eyes out and they were just there to give me advice and help us through it
Charlotte Smith on staff at Latch