Five-year-old Mabel, from Surbiton is preparing to start a new school year, four months after completing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

As the summer holidays draw to a close, children and parents across the country are preparing for the start of a new school year. But for families like Mabel's, who have faced the reality of a cancer diagnosis, the new academic year brings far more considerations.

Five-year-old Mabel was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in 2023 (Image supplied)

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Mabel's mum, Celine, wants to speak out about this and highlight how Momentum Children's Charity supported the family during this very difficult time.

Talking about her daughter's cancer diagnosis, Celine said: "In March 2023 Mabel was sent home from nursery with a high temperature. 

"After a few days, her temperature was still very high and she was very lethargic, so we took her to the GP who told us it was tonsillitis. 

"That weekend, after she was no better, we took her into A&E where things spiralled very quickly and the next morning, she was diagnosed with ALL. We were in complete shock – it all went from Mabel being a little bit unwell to our world falling apart."

Celine continued: "Mabel's treatment lasted over two years. It was full on and included daily chemotherapy, blood transfusions, lumbar punctures, steroids and injections. Mabel lost all her hair, which was heartbreaking. 

"It would fall out and drop in her food but because she was so young she didn't say anything, but we could tell it bothered her. The steroids also made her gain a lot of weight so her appearance changed drastically – she wouldn't talk about it but would refuse to look at her reflection. 

"Now, we often catch her dancing in front of the mirror, and her hair is growing back so we can finally squeeze it into a ponytail which has made her so happy – she just wanted to look like everyone else in her class."

Mabel with her family (Image supplied)

Touching on Mabel returning to school, Celine said: "Mabel missed so much of her first year of school, but she's really looking forward to getting stuck into Year One now her cancer treatment has finished. She's a little nervous about going back, as she worries some of her friends might have learned more than her, but we're just so proud of how brave she's been.

"More than anything, we're hoping this year can be full of learning, fun and friendships - without any more long absences."

Talking about Momentum Children's Charity, Celine said: "Momentum have been amazing. Our Family Support Worker, Sam, made weekly calls to us, which we didn't think we would need because we have a lot of family and friends around, but it really helped to speak to someone who understood the situation and knew the hospitals and medical staff.

"Sam has helped with signposting, accessing financial support, and introducing us to other families through the Momentum coffee mornings. Our friends have been amazing, but if you haven't been through it yourself, it is difficult to understand."

Sarah Woods, CEO at Momentum Children's Charity said: "We're sending Mabel our very best wishes as she begins a new school year. Sadly, every year, more than 1,900 families in the UK receive the devastating news of a childhood cancer diagnosis.

"This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we want families to know they are not alone, and we are here to help. Through our close partnerships with hospitals across London, Surrey, and Sussex, our Family Support Workers provide both practical assistance and emotional care, ensuring every member of the family receives the support they need."

The hospitals Momentum works with in London are Kingston Hospital, The Royal Marsden Hospital and St. George's Hospital.

You can find out more about Momentum Children's Charity here.