The mother of a young leukaemia patient is calling for more research into the blood cancer. Tajana, 43, whose son Henry, 13, is in remission, wants to see treatments that not only cure leukaemia but are less gruelling for the children undergoing them. Tajana, who lives near Norwich, said: ‘Watching your child being that ill is really distressing.’

Tajana has joined Leukaemia UK in calling for more research ahead of International Childhood Cancer Day on Thursday. According to the charity, the condition is the most common type of childhood cancer.

Henry was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the summer of 2020, aged 10, but is now in remission after three years of chemotherapy treatment. Tajana said more investment was needed on researching treatments that ‘work more quickly and take less of a physical toll on the children undergoing them’.

Henry had symptoms of bleeding gums, fatigue and weight loss before he was diagnosed. His mother said: ‘I will never forget that as we were getting into the ambulance, I noticed one of the nurses giving me a sad look, like she was feeling sorry for me.’

Although Henry has finished chemotherapy treatment, Tajana said it was ‘not over’ for him. ‘He’s not doing what 13- or 14-year-olds should be doing… It’s almost like we left him at 10 years old,’ she said. ‘It’s over but it’s not over and we have a lot of work to do.’

Fiona Hazell, chief executive of Leukaemia UK, said: ‘The gruelling, lengthy nature of the chemotherapy and other treatments can effectively destroy years of normal childhood and put a massive emotional strain on everyone around them.’