By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:00, Saturday, 26 January 2013

A little boy who battled leukaemia and a nearly fatal reaction to chemotherapy has been rewarded for his bravery.

Leon Minchella

Leon Minchella, from Sycamore Road, Maryport, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September 2005 – at the age of just two – after his parents noticed pinprick bruising on his ankles.

It was hard enough for his parents, Sarah Morris and Martyn Minchella to see their first-born child fighting the disease, but five weeks after he began treatment the worst happened.

Leon developed a rare and life-threatening allergic reaction to the chemotherapy drugs. He was put on a life support machine in the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, then rushed to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary by a specialist retrieval team at night.

Martyn, 34, said: “Sarah was about 39 weeks pregnant with our second child at the time.

“I don’t drive, and so she was having to drive us all over to the RVI to be with Leon.”

As a result of the allergic reaction, Leon developed acute pancreatitis and was in intensive care for three days, before spending a further two weeks in hospital.

“It was a really hard time,” Martyn, a Tesco worker, added. “Faye was born about four or five days after Leon was taken to Newcastle.

“I had to phone my grandparents to drive from Maryport to sit with Leon, so I could be with Sarah while she gave birth.”

Sarah said: “I know it sounds like the most awful thing to happen but we all felt safe and protected being together in the hospital.

“With no pressures of everyday life we were just able to concentrate on our two beautiful children.”

Leon’s treatment continued for three-and-a-half years, during which time he missed out on nursery and reception schooling. Despite this, the nine-year-old has now been in remission for about three years and attends Maryport Junior School.

Leon visits Newcastle every six months for check-ups, but has moved on from his tough early years – and is now focused on becoming a zoo vet. Martyn said: “He loves nature and wanted to be a zoo keeper for ages.

“His physical development has been a bit slower, and he is quite quiet, but he is doing really well.”

Sarah added: “Leon is a friendly boy and it’s hard to tell what he has been through now. It was a really tough time, but we managed to get through it and I feel it has made us all stronger.”

The youngster has been awarded a Little Star Award by Cancer Research UK.

The awards scheme is run in partnership with TK Maxx and recognises the unique challenges faced by youngsters who have cancer.

Ethan Tweedie, nine, of Dalesman Drive, in Harraby, Carlisle, helped launch this year’s awards scheme in November. He was diagnosed with a type of brain tumour at the age of six, and the operation to remove it led to complications.

“We sat Leon down and explained what the star was for,” said Martyn, “and he is really proud of it. He won’t take it out of its box because he wants to keep it safe.

“Fortunately, he doesn’t remember much from when he was really ill, with the tubes and needles. But we do. We’re so proud of him.”

Sarah is now urging other families to nominate a child for a Little Star award.

“It gives children a real boost. Leon really has been a little star, and this award just proves it,” she added.

First published at 11:06, Saturday, 26 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk