Children’s Cancer Charity Urges People To ‘Turn Yorkshire Pink’

Candlelighters, a charity supporting children with cancer across the Yorkshire region, is urging people to get involved with its fundraising and awareness campaign, Pink It Up, from the 6 – 12 June.

The charity offers a variety of support for the families of children with cancer and serious haematological disorders including emotional, practical, and financial support, as well as investing in vital childhood cancer research, and relies entirely on funding from the community in order to provide its services.

One family that has benefitted from these services is that of Charlie from Market Weighton, who was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) in April 2017 before his third birthday.

LCH is a condition where the body has too many histocyte cells, a type of immune cell which normally protects the skin, which can then move around the body causing damage to tissue or causing lesions to form. It can affect skin, bones, or organs and requires chemotherapy to treat it.

Charlie’s mum Shelley explained that they had no idea the condition existed until a skin biopsy, following seeing a dermatologist for nearly two years, confirmed the LCH.

Immediate chemotherapy was needed which was a shock to the whole family. After Charlie’s treatment, he, unfortunately, relapsed, with the LCH returning on his scalp.

The hospital advised a CT scan which then showed a shadow on his brain, meaning Charlie required more chemotherapy. This commenced in April 2020, when Charlie was only five years old.

Charlie and his family were supported by Candlelighters from the time Charlie was diagnosed and continue to support the family today.

Shelley tells us;

“From the moment we arrived at Leeds Children’s Hospital, four years ago, Candlelighters has been amazing to us and Charlie. From the Play Workers on the Day Unit, which Candlelighters helps to fund, playing with Charlie and using distraction techniques their role has always been vital for our visits.”

Charlie and his family were provided with a holiday to Center Parcs and have another booked this year, both of which are funded by Candlelighters. Candlelighters provide the families they support with two holidays to help give them some time away from the ordeal of childhood cancer and enjoy making some happy memories together.

Shelley said;

“Getting to go to Center Parcs was amazing and we’ll always hold fond memories of our time there. Having quality family time was just what we needed and helped put a smile on Charlie’s face away from hospital visits.”

Shelley has been keen to give support back to the charity and has undertaken numerous fundraising activities to raise funds for them. She told us “Since Charlie’s diagnosis and knowing the invaluable work that Candlelighters does I have raised money by doing the abseiling and most recently a charity skydive! I have also raised money for new books for the oncology wards to hopefully put a smile on the children’s faces.”  In fact, the skydive Shelley undertook in 2020 was for the Candlelighters Pink It Up event that year!

Pink It Up is Candlelighters’ annual campaign to ‘turn Yorkshire pink’ and raise funds and awareness for children with cancer. From 6th – 12th June 2022, they’re encouraging people all across the region to get involved any way they can with pink-themed activities and fundraising.

Candlelighters say “You could host a pink event, do a pink challenge, or wear pink clothes – whatever you do, you’ll be helping to fund our vital support for families and raising much-needed awareness of childhood cancer.

Most importantly, Pink It Up is about coming together as a community, having fun, and showing we care about children with cancer and their families! We really hope you’ll join us”

Chief Executive Officer of Candlelighters, Emily Wragg, says;

“We are so grateful to the support we receive from people across Yorkshire to enable our charity to be there for families facing the most unimaginably difficult time of their lives.”

“Fundraising and donations from supporters mean we can provide vital emotional, practical and financial support for families facing childhood cancer, and that support is available to them for as long as they need. We support hundreds of families just like Charlie’s every year.”

“We’d love it if people across the region can get involved in our Pink It Up campaign, whether taking on some pink fundraising for us or simply donating to us. Every penny raised makes such a huge difference to the children and their families.”

Pink It Up will take place from 6th – 12th June 2022. If you’d like to get involved with Candlelighters’ Pink It Up and support families like Charlie’s from across Yorkshire, you can find all the information you need here https://www.candlelighters.org.uk/pink-it-up/.