A family from Wales is supporting leading childhood cancer charity, Children with Cancer UK, to help raise awareness following daughter Bethan’s cancer diagnosis.
Bethan Evans, from Welshpool, in Powys, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone and tissue cancer, on her fifth birthday in January 2012.
Parents Lynne and Arwel, first noticed their daughter was unwell when they spotted Bethan had an extremely high temperature that couldn’t be controlled and a strange rash all over her body. Overnight, an intense lump on the top of Bethan’s left arm appeared and the following day, on her fifth birthday, Lynne and Arwel took Bethan to the doctor where she had an x-ray that saved her life and was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma.
Bethan underwent life-saving surgery where her left arm was temporarily removed at the shoulder, packed in ice and driven three miles to another hospital so the 17cm tumour could be treated with radiotherapy.
Lynne comments: “Finding out that our little girl had cancer was truly life shattering. Everything after Bethan’s diagnosis all happened so quickly – she had a central line put in, endured intense chemotherapy and as a result of the chemotherapy treatment, lost her beautiful hair, toe and fingernails, and her teeth began to fall out.
“After months of gruelling treatment, we were told the only way to remove the cancer was to remove Bethan’s shoulder, humerus and elbow, have them driven across a city to another hospital for treatment before being driven back and re-attached. As a parent you will do absolutely anything to protect your children so hearing this as the only option for Bethan was heartbreaking.”
Ewing’s Sarcoma is a rare bone and tissue cancer which affects around 25 children in the UK each year.
Children with Cancer UK is sharing the inspiring story of Bethan as part of its new awareness feature on Ewing’s Sarcoma.
The charity’s ‘12 Groups of Cancer’ campaign is a series of short films which aim to help raise awareness and understanding of the 12 groups of childhood and young adult cancer types. The videos give a unique insight into the cancer type, and the information and support parents need when their child has been diagnosed.
Lynne continues: “We were incredibly concerned about Bethan losing the mobility in her arm, but it was the best option to give her the best chance of survival – and thankfully, 100% of the cancer was successfully removed. Fast forward 12 years, Bethan is now 17-years-old and is completing her A Levels in Sociology, Welsh Baccalaureate, Biology and Psychology. She is still living with the effects of the intense treatment she endured at such a young age.
“Cancer has truly changed our lives and we are thankful each and every day for our daughter, and for the outcome we have had as a family. Bethan won’t let the cancer take anything from her and she is proud to be an Ewing’s sarcoma survivor.
“As a family, we’re sharing our story in the hope that it raises awareness and the understanding of childhood cancer, and highlights the importance of new scientific research to help beat this devastating disease.”
Children with Cancer UK is one of the leading national children’s charities working towards a world where every child survives cancer, which funds a number of research projects focused on bone tumours.
Christiana Ogunbote, Head of Research at Children with Cancer UK, added: “We would like to thank Bethan’s family for sharing their inspirational story, and helping us to increase understanding of the profound impact it can have on young people and their families.
“As a charity, it is our mission to fund vital research into cancers affecting children and young adults, support families and raise awareness. Our new 12 Groups of Cancer films are an important part of our ongoing awareness work, and we hope they help parents feel better prepared and informed during their child’s cancer journey.”
