The summer holidays are almost over, and many children and their parents are busy preparing for the new academic year, but for families like the Forrest’s, who have received a cancer diagnosis, there is a lot more to think about.

September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Eli’s mum, Amy Forrest, is raising awareness of her son’s illness and sharing how Momentum Children’s Charity have been supporting the family during this very difficult time.

Talking about Eli’s diagnosis, Amy said: “In January last year, Eli started getting recurring fevers. I kept taking him to the GP and to A&E, but I would always get told it was a virus. This went on for about 10 weeks, until we eventually got to see a fantastic paediatric consultant. She did a physical assessment and noticed Eli had a swollen liver, so they did another blood test and the very next morning, we received the news that Eli had cancer.”

Amy continued: “I felt so angry when we got the news as Eli hadn’t been right for such a long time, but it was a relief to finally have a diagnosis. After spending five nights at The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, we were referred to St. George’s Hospital in London where Eli started chemotherapy. From there, we were referred to the Royal Marsden where Eli had treatment for nine months. Eli has been quite sick from the medication, but thankfully, in December last year, he started maintenance treatment. This means I administer the chemo for him at home. Eli still has weekly blood tests, but we only have to visit the hospital once a month for chemo and can go home afterwards.”

Talking about Momentum Children’s Charity, Amy said: “We were introduced to Momentum Children’s Charity at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital. One of their Family Support Workers came in to see us very soon after we’d received Eli’s diagnosis and I’ve been in touch with her ever since. Having someone who checks in to see how we are doing really helps, and they have been brilliant at finding out information for us, including practical and financial help. The charity has also supported my mum – grandparents are often overlooked, but Momentum realises the need to be there for the whole family.”

Talking about Eli starting school, Amy said: “On 1 September, Eli turns five. It is a busy month with him starting school too. I feel nervous and I think the school are too. Eli has medication administered through his stomach and the school will have to do this. There are always so many bugs going around at the start of a new term and Eli’s immune system is compromised so he is more likely to pick something up which fills me with anxiety.  Eli is extremely excited about starting school – he is going to be in the same class as his best friend so he can’t wait.”

Bianca Effemey OBE, Founder and CEO at Momentum Children’s Charity said: “What a month for Eli as he starts school and turns five! Every year, more than 1900 families in the UK receive the heartbreaking news that their child has cancer – sadly, this number is increasing. This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month we want to remind people that we are here to offer support to families who have a child with cancer or another life-challenging condition. Through our partnerships with hospitals in Sussex, our Family Support Workers can give practical and emotional support to find the best ways to support every single member of the family, so that no one feels like they’re facing the future alone.”

The hospitals Momentum works with in Sussex are The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and Worthing Hospital.

To find out more about the work of Momentum Children’s Charity, please visit www.momentumcharity.org

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Notes to Editors:

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. We partner with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through our family support workers, both in hospital and at home. Our services include counselling, creative therapies, special experiences, and respite breaks. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, we offer specialist bereavement support. The charity receives no government funding and is reliant entirely on voluntary support. 

Founded in 2004, Momentum Children’s Charity was started when Bianca Effemey OBE was working as a receptionist on the Paediatrics Ward at Kingston Hospital. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment can be very painful and she became aware of the impact they were having on young cancer patients. It became her mission to get white goods donated to the hospital which could be kept full of refreshments, providing some relief to children suffering with mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy. Momentum has grown from a very small charity to now supporting around 300 children undergoing treatment and 140 bereaved families every year.

If you are interested in learning more about the work Momentum does, seeing the roles they are currently recruiting for or would like to get involved by attending an event, volunteering or making a donation please visit www.momentumcharity.org

www.momentumcharity.org Registered charity number: 1195373 For more information about Momentum and future press opportunities, please contact:  Claire Smith, PR and Communications Officer: clairesmith@momentumcharity.org  /  0208 974 5931