Meet Alex

In January 2022, three-year-old Alex began complaining of pain in his leg. When the pain did not ease, his mum Justyna took him to hospital.

“At first, the doctor prescribed paracetamol and told us to come back if it didn’t help. A few days later we returned and they scanned Alex’s knee and said everything looked fine, but I insisted on took a blood test too.”

Justyna and her husband Grzegorz received a call the next day asking for them to return to hospital.

"I assumed they wanted to give Alex antibiotics for an infection in his joints, I didn't notice we were in a cancer unit until I saw a poster about supporting kids with cancer. I was in shock."

Justyna was alone in the hospital when she received Alex’s diagnosis of leukaemia.

Grzegorz had to bring everything to the hospital so that Alex could start treatment immediately. Alex was kept in hospital initially for three weeks, and once he was allowed home he had daily and then weekly appointments for chemotherapy.

“I didn't know what to say when they gave the diagnosis, I couldn't even find one word. The news slapped me in the face; it felt like time stood still. I called my husband to give him news, he didn't say anything, I just heard him start to cry.”

Justyna, Alex's mum

Alex's body responded well to the medication but mum Justyna explains the wider impact on him.

"Pre-diagnosis Alex was such a happy boy, but the chemotherapy hit him very hard. He lost his hair as well as his happiness and his treatment meant he was often hungry, grumpy and overwhelmingly tired."

Alex and his family are originally from Poland, but after Alex’s diagnosis, they were unable to return home until his treatment was complete. The family had no one in England to turn to for support.

In April 2023, Rainbow Trust Family Support Worker Cindy began supporting the family. Although they felt positive about Alex’s future, life remained turbulent and unpredictable.

Over the past three years, Alex has undergone several courses of chemotherapy, including lumber punctures and oral courses. He now has ongoing monthly steroid treatments in hospital which continue to take their toll.

Over this difficult time, mum Justyna was pregnant with baby Maria, who was born just two days before Alex began another intensive round of chemotherapy in June 2023.

"Family Support Worker Cindy initially visited us in hospital - her support was so great. Now Cindy’s visits us at home, which is a real treat for Alex, especially during his monthly steroid treatments or at times when he is unable to attend school for weeks at a time.

"Even on days when he feels unwell, Cindy brings fun and sunshine, spending time playing with him and lifting his spirits."

"Alex always eagerly awaits Cindy’s visits, she is like a really lovely auntie to him which is brilliant.”

A Family Support Worker like Cindy can help in numerous ways, tailoring their support to the specific needs of each family.

Cindy’s practical and emotional support gives Justyna vital respite, helping her cope with her new reality while enabling her to focus on her younger daughter Maria, manage essential tasks, and better support Alex.

"Cindy has helped us enjoy some fabulous outings, including tickets to the circus and a trip with Alex to Victoria Park, which mean a lot because Alex is currently too unwell to travel."

"She has helped me with paperwork and is always willing to listen. We have also attended some Rainbow Trust events which are always such a safe environment for Alex."

Cindy supports the whole family and will continue to do so until the family feel they no longer need her.

“I knew about Rainbow Trust through my work as a special educational needs teacher. I had met Family Support Workers when they had come in to school. I never imagined I would need their support!”

“We would not have managed without Cindy. She has helped us in many ways, some of them seem small but they are not. Following Alex’s diagnosis I felt like a prisoner, I couldn’t visit my family in Poland and I shut down. Even just being able to chat to Cindy has been a big help to me. Grzegorz is often at work so I really appreciate being to speak to her. She is like part of our family and has helped me with feelings of loneliness and isolation.”

Justyna, Alex's mum

Life continues to be stressful especially during the winter when bugs and viruses are more common. Alex remains very vulnerable and catching a cold could lead to a stay in hospital.

“It was a horrible year for all of us, a very difficult time. Thankfully it’s behind us now. Despite our worries, we are hopeful for the future. We are waiting for Alex to ring the end of treatment bell and of course we will be inviting Cindy for this special occasion, it will be something momentous for our family, especially Alex."

Cindy provides reassurance for Justyna at what continues to be an uncertain time.

“Without Rainbow Trust, life would be like the sky without the rainbow.”

There are so many families like Alex's, that may be feeling so helplessly alone and desperate, who need this specialist support. Please donate today to help us support more families like Alex's.

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Alex's Story

Meet Alex

Continued support for a family for as long as they need us