LACIE FACES CHRISTMAS IN ISOLATION
SIX-YEAR-OLD Lacie Lane was diagnosed with leukaemia back in February 2015. She’s currently undergoing treatment at the children’s Rainbow Ward at the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, Cardiff, where she’s awaiting treatment following a recent relapse.
And it’s likely Lacie, who lives in Ringland, Newport, will spend Christmas in isolation.
Because of her condition, and the potential risk of infection, she could potentially only be allowed limited visits throughout the festive period.
But one initiative is supporting youngsters like Lacie – by collecting toys to keep them entertained over the festive period. And you can help when you are doing your Christmas shopping by buying an extra gift to donate.
Lacie’s mother, Natasha, said of her daughter’s illness: “It all started in February 2015, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
“We went through two-and-half years of treatment, and she finished that in June 2017.
“In June 2018, we found out that she’s actually relapsed. We had a year of just regular clinics. And then she started to get a little bit unwell again. We had a blood test done and found out it had come back.”
Natasha explained that this time the news has hit the family harder.
She said: “It’s affected us more this time.
“The first time around the children were so young, they just sort of adapted.
“This time – Lacie’s six now and my son is eight, and I’ve got a newborn – they’re all a little bit older so they understand a lot more about what’s going on.
“We’ve spent so much more time in hospital this time – we’ve just been split really.
“She is still young but she’s grown up very quick with everything she’s had to go through.
“She asks all the questions that she wants answered now – she wanted to know exactly what leukaemia was, what it means to need a bone marrow trans- plant, things like that. We don’t lie to Lacie about anything, we’re very forward with her and about what to expect,” Natasha said.
Lacie starts the chemotherapy in a few weeks and the treatment that she’s going to be having is likely to “knock her ‘counts’ right down again”, which means she’s not going to be able to do the normal things kids do at Christmas, such as going to parties or visit family.
Lacie has to be isolated and will be rendered housebound, but despite this, she’s never short of a smile.
“She’s incredible, she takes it all in her stride,” Natasha added.
Natasha explains that initiatives like the Toy Appeal – which launched yesterday in Cardiff’s St David Centre – can help massively during times like this.
While Lacie understands the situation, she doesn’t like it and it can be difficult to try to think of new things to do with her every day.
“This is where the Toy Appeal is amazing,” Natasha said.
“At Christmas time, especially when she’s isolated, to see them have this new toy that they know nothing about – they don’t know what they’re getting. It just entertains them for a good four or five days. Just that one toy.”
LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity, which is among those benefiting from the Toy Appeal, is currently supporting Lacie’s family through its home from home accommodation at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, as well as its social work service and access to LATCH grants for travel, heating equipment and much more.
Natasha, who was pregnant when Lacie was diagnosed a second time, said they have been a massive help to her and her family.
“I can’t say enough about LATCH: without the charity I really don’t think I’d be a sane person,” she said. Barnardo’s, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity, Ty Hafan, Dreams & Wishes, Valley’s Kids and LATCH.
Steven Madeley, general manager for St David’s, said: “Over the past three years, our shoppers have shown extraordinary generosity, allowing us to donate more toys every year to amazing charities that provide such vital services in the community, and we need your help to continue this.”
Shoppers who want to take part can head to the donation station in the centre, located near the Clogau store.
For details on the Toy Appeal, visit stdavidscardiff.com/ToyAppeal