“Florence is full of energy, a really bubbly girl who we call our feisty threenager! She loves going to the park, going on the swings and doing all the things a typical toddler enjoys.

Florence was 23 months old when she was diagnosed with cancer. Her symptoms came on very suddenly – it was the opposite of many stories we have heard from other families where they had endless trips to their GP before getting a diagnosis.

It was Easter Sunday last year and we were having a very typical weekend – we had been on walks, I was preparing a roast dinner, we were playing games and just enjoying family time. I was sitting on the sofa with Florence when I noticed little red dots all over her face – they were tiny, pin prick size – they looked like little blood spots under her skin. Of course, I got straight on to Google, and it told me to do the glass test on her skin which I did immediately. It also said her symptoms could be typical of a child with leukaemia and to check for bruising on her body. About a week prior to this, I had noticed lots of bruising on Florence’s legs, but I put this down to her being a typical toddler and hadn’t thought too much more about it. When I looked at her again, she was still very bruised.

We rushed her straight to A&E at Medway Hospital. The consultants did some blood tests, and we were taken into a private room. I felt like I just knew it was something very serious, and when the nurse asked me what I thought was wrong, I told her I thought Florence had leukaemia. Florence had an x-ray of her abdomen, and the consultant did a physical examination of her stomach. Florence remained her happy self, but we could see her physical appearance deteriorating in front of our eyes and bruises kept appearing – they were in her hairline, on her toes and on other unusual parts of her body.

Two or three hours after being at the hospital, we were taken into a family room and told what I already knew – they suspected leukaemia. After that, everything is a blur. I felt numb, and everyone said I was like a rabbit in the headlights. I never ever thought something like this would happen to us. Our son, Freddie, was only seven years old at the time, so we had to explain everything to him in an age-appropriate way, but he knows Florence has poorly blood.

My partner has been really positive and has been the person that has held us all together.

We were at Medway Hospital for a week before we got transferred to St. George’s in London. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the doctor’s strike, so it was nine days before Florence was able to start her cancer treatment – it felt like forever. Florence had her port-a-cath fitted and we were transferred to The Royal Marsden Hospital, where Florence started three weeks of intensive chemotherapy. One of the side effects from the chemo was that Florence stopped walking – thankfully it was only for a short period. She also stopped talking for about eight months – she would just growl at us and make noises which was quite to be expected, given everything she was going through.

Thankfully, Florence has now reached maintenance treatment which means we give her daily oral chemotherapy at home, and we go to the local hospital for monthly chemo sessions. Our trips to The Royal Marsden are less frequent now too.

We were first introduced to Momentum Children’s Charity at St. George’s Hospital but I felt so numb and detached at the time, I just couldn’t talk. A few weeks later, we met Sam, our Family Support Worker, at The Royal Marsden. Sam has been brilliant – she will go out of her way to have a chat with me, she sends texts to see how we are getting on, and it’s just nice to have friendly support that isn’t in your face all the time. Momentum is a great charity – having a presence in hospitals, on the front line is brilliant for families like us.

We have had the pleasure of staying at one of Momentum’s respite lodges and have also had a trip on the charity’s riverboat with my mum and stepdad – it was one of our best memories amongst a stressful period of intensive treatment last year. Momentum really have provided us with some magical moments, as well as giving us practical and emotional support.

Florence will complete her treatment in May next year – I feel such a mix of emotions about this, but mainly nervous and scared. I feel safe when she is having treatment, and everyone is keeping a close eye on her. That said, we are looking forward to a bit of normality, and not having to think about hospital appointments. It will be nice for her to enjoy a normal childhood again – go to soft play, go to the park without having to wipe everything down, live in the moment and have fun.

This September, Florence will start nursery. I feel nervous because it is the first time she will be in this kind of setting with other children, but I know she will love it. She can socialise and start getting into a bit of a routine – it will all help her get ready for school next year.

My hope this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month would be for everyone to become more aware of cancer in children – get to know the symptoms. Everyone can make a difference in some way – people can sign up to the Stem Cell Register to become a blood cell donor or donate to a charity like Momentum – there are so many ways to help.

In a few weeks’ time, at the start of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, my stepdad, Jason, and stepbrother, Joe, will cycle from London to Amsterdam as part of a challenge that will see them cover a massive 300 miles. They are hoping to raise £4350 for Momentum from their challenge, and they only have about £400 to go to reach their target. We are so proud of them – they have worked really hard to get fit for this event, even doing the London-Brighton ride as a warm-up!”

Help Jason and Joe reach their fundraising target for Momentum by sponsoring them here