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'Inspirational' boy celebrating end of cancer treatment
Inspirational ten-year-old boy, Finnie Egleton, a pupil at Hopton CofE Primary Academy, has been given the all-clear after three years of cancer treatment. The school's marked the end of Finnie's treatment by raising money and awareness for NNUH's Jenny Lind Department and Finnbar's Force. Donations can still be made here
Finnie took his last chemotherapy drug on Saturday, May 20
Over the past three years, there have been times when his family thought this day would never arrive
In March 2020, four days before the first national Covid lockdown was announced, Finnie was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer that starts from white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow
photo supplied by family
He was admitted to Addenbrooke’s children’s oncology ward for three years of treatment and has attended monthly chemotherapy sessions at the Jenny Lind Department in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH)
His mother Kellie Egleton said: "Finnie is a bright child. He understood the seriousness of his illness and we have always been honest with him"
“Since his diagnosis, at the age of seven-years-old, Finnie grew up beyond his years and faced his illness head on” she said
He has attended school at Hopton, between Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, throughout and has developed "extraordinary strategies" for coping with it all. His dream is now to become a paediatric oncology doctor as he would like to help other young people fighting the disease
photo supplied by family
Ms Egleton said: "For the last three and a half years, we have entered a completely unfamiliar world. Finnie’s diagnosis was the news that no family should ever have to face"
Extended periods of isolation, separation from family and friends and the constant Covid cloud placed enormous strain on the family
Ms Egleton said that Finnie’s sister, seven-year-old Isla, has been exceptional. "Our lives have revolved around treatments, hospital visits and limiting ourselves to activities that would not compromise Finnie’s weakened immune system. The love and kindness shown by Isla far exceeds her years. The siblings have developed an incredibly special bond" she said
She also said the family "no longer take things for granted, sadly witnessing first-hand that not every family affected by childhood cancer is able to bring their child home from hospital"
Ms Egleton, who is also headteacher at Hopton CE Primary Academy, said the family has been so well supported throughout their journey by friends, family, colleagues and also two local charities, the NNUH's Jenny Lind Department and Finnbar's Force
Finnbar’s Force is a Norfolk-based cancer charity working to provide a more comforting environment for children and families attending chemotherapy clinics at the NNUH
Hopton CE Primary is marking the end of Finnie's treatment by raising money and awareness for those charities
On May 19, school friends and parents of Hopton and others part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT), Diocese of Norwich and St Benet's families, are being invited to an event called ‘Go Gold for Childhood Cancer’
courtesy of the Diocese of Norwich eNewsletter
Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in Great Yarmouth or surrounding district?
If so, email judith.edmonds@ntlworld.com with details and, if possible, a suitable picture(s)
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