Luke's Story

You have the power to ensure families like Luke’s do not have to struggle alone. Will you help today?

When 13-year-old Luke complained of a swollen sore neck, Lindsey, his grandma, took him to Darlington Hospital where he had an ultrasound and blood tests.

Luke was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, a cancer of the blood.

"We were called into a room, and there were a lot of doctors. A nurse took Luke out of the room, so I had an awful feeling that we were going to be told something not very nice. And she said that they thought he had lymphoma." Lindsey

Family Support Worker Monica began supporting the family in May 2024, providing Lindsey with respite and helping Luke with his social development, isolation and anxiety.

When Luke was diagnosed, life changed dramatically for the whole family. Luke endured intensive chemotherapy, multiple blood and platelet transfusions, he had to stay in hospital for long periods of isolation and had to leave school because of the treatment.

Lindsey became his primary carer, alongside caring full time for Luke’s mum, Laura, who is disabled. Their lives became a relentless cycle of hospital visits and treatments.

Luke couldn’t go out, couldn’t go to school or see friends like other children his age for 10 months.

Monica has been supporting Luke as he adjusts to going back to school after spending so long at hospital and home. She takes him out of the house, helping him to have some much-needed fun and socialise with different people, including other seriously ill children, helping with his anxiety and social development.

“When they told me I had cancer we all burst out crying. Family Support Worker Monica is the nicest person I’ve met. Monica makes me laugh and it makes me happy to be around different people. Rainbow Trust has made a very big difference in my life after the isolation I've been through.” Luke

Before Family Support Worker Monica started supporting them the family struggled as they felt like they had no one they could go to for help and support. Monica’s practical and emotional support gives Lindsey respite and a chance to do some essential household tasks and paperwork.

For Lindsey, Monica is a stable presence that she knows she can rely on whenever she needs support.

"The last 11 months have been horrendous for Luke. Before Rainbow Trust I felt like we didn't really have anybody to reach out to. It's been really good for Luke, because for the last 11 months, he spent all of his time with me, his mum and auntie. It is lovely for him to get out with Monica and do something enjoyable, meeting other people, and socialising rather than just being around us all the time."

A Family Support Worker like Monica can help in numerous ways, tailoring their support to the specific needs of each family. This has a positive impact at the time of a family’s most traumatic situation.

There are so many families, like Luke's, that may be feeling so helplessly alone and desperate, who need this specialist support from a Family Support Worker like Monica.

Please donate to support more seriously ill children and their families.