A heartwarming video captures the joyous moment two sisters, Kirsty and Melissa, are seen dancing and singing together. This moment is particularly special because Kirsty, who has Down’s Syndrome, has triumphed over leukaemia for the second time.
Kirsty’s journey began when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) just after her 15th birthday. ALL is a type of blood cancer that starts in the white blood cells found in bone marrow. It is the most common cancer in children, with a high survival rate for younger patients. However, the survival rate drops for older teenagers and young adults.
Children with Down’s syndrome have a significantly higher risk of developing ALL. This news was devastating for Kirsty’s parents, Janet and Neil, who are both doctors. They knew firsthand the challenges their daughter would face. Kirsty’s treatment was a rollercoaster, but her main consultant reassured them that everything would be fine.
The journey was tough, both physically and emotionally, for Kirsty and her family. She experienced side effects from chemotherapy, including hair loss, abdominal swelling, and jaundice. Kirsty’s younger sister, Melissa, struggled to understand the gravity of the situation at the time.
In January 2019, the family received the news they had been desperately hoping for – Kirsty’s treatment was over, and she was officially in remission. However, their relief was short-lived as Kirsty relapsed in the summer of 2020. This time, the ordeal was even more challenging because the family knew exactly what to expect.
Kirsty’s second round of treatment meant she had to endure more chemotherapy and face isolating Covid restrictions. The side effects were severe, affecting her speech and movement. However, her unyielding spirit and love for singing kept her going.
In September 2020, Kirsty was referred to University College Hospital in London for a revolutionary treatment called CAR-T therapy. This therapy involves reprogramming immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells. Although this treatment is currently only approved for ALL patients up to the age of 25, it offered a glimmer of hope for Kirsty.
During Kirsty’s time in the hospital, her family had to be separated due to Covid restrictions. Fortunately, Young Lives vs Cancer provided accommodation for her mother, Janet, in London. Despite the challenges, they found ways to stay positive, including a countdown to Christmas calendar.
Just as the country went into a Christmas lockdown, Kirsty’s father, Neil, and sister, Melissa, rushed to London to bring Janet and Kirsty home for Christmas. Her treatment had ended, and the family received encouraging news – if Kirsty could go six months without any abnormal blood tests, her future would be bright.
A year later, tests show that the CAR-T cells in Kirsty’s body are still working effectively. This Christmas, Kirsty will be celebrating and cherishing every moment with her family. She even has a special dance performance planned with Melissa in a local theatre.
Kirsty is looking forward to Christmas dinner, playing games with her loved ones, and receiving a Sheffield United calendar. Her incredible journey inspires hope and reminds us all to cherish the special moments in life.
