Sharelle age 3 Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Help
Donation protected
Thank you for coming to this page and reading the below.I have set up this page and campaign in the hope of trying to help someone in our local community of Seven Sisters and in these difficult times I hope you will read the below and realise as a community we can help people in different ways.
I have had the families consent to set up this page for them and to provide these details in the hope that as a community we can help in some way to help them in the terrible predicament they find themselves in.
Sadly this is an incredibly sad story and no family should have to go through the traumatic situation or experience of Cancer but especially when it relates to a young child. I am writing this plea to every mum, dad, carer, grandparent and individuals who would and can relate and understand what the word cancer alone can do to a family.
Many of you will have already been affected directly or indirectly with this terrible disease and during these times one thing we can often take comfort with is that we have family, friends and neighbours supporting us. Nobody should go through this alone and when it is a child it is that much worse.
Joanne Williams , Frank Mathew Gilley and their five beautiful children, Shantia 6, Charisse 6 ,Molly 4, Ellina 9 and Sharelle 3 years old would like to thank you all from the bottom of their hearts if during this terrible time and they realise a lot families are suffering because of Co-Vid 19 where they have lost loved ones and are still fighting for their lives, if they could give a small donation, no matter how small it would mean ever so much to the whole Family.
If it is not already difficult enough trying to bring up five beautiful girls all under the age of 8, Sharelle was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. What with this and the added difficulties of the current times (the Covid19 Pandemic) and families self isolating and socially distancing themselves, it is a deeply troubling time for the family.
To date, the family are so grateful for the love and compassion already shown, not just by those they know, but staff at the hospitals, all those working with the family through Neath Port Talbot Council and everyone across the many agencies who are operating in this time.
Sharelle was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, with a two year treatment plan and has undergone just three weeks extensive treatment so far. The good news is that Sharelle has responded really well to the Chemotherapy treatment so far, but as is commonly the case, having to go through chemotherapy has had an impact on her immune system and her body’s ability to fight infection.
During treatment the family have to constantly check to see if she was neutropenic. Neuropenic means that your neutrophils are low, and neutrophils are an important white blood cell that fight infection. The lower your neutrophil count, the more vulnerable you are to infectious diseases. Isolation for a child with cancer means they have to be kept in a hospital room away from all people and public places in order to protect them from picking up any other infections or illnesses.
Sharelle has had to stay in a hospital room and is only allowed one or two family members in her room at a time, meaning it is incredibly lonely for her. She cannot visit any of the playrooms, nor have any contact with her fellow children in the hospital and is only able to keep in contact with people via Skype, Facetime and such.
And if that is not frightening enough, all doctors and nurses have to wear gowns, mask and gloves, when visiting her.
This is such a troubling time for the parents and the difficulties they are facing are something we all pray that we never have to go through. Yet the level of support they provide and their spirit has never once waivered and their strength and courage is admirable. Their brave face in trying to keep Sharelle is positive is so strong. They know that Sharelle is having the best possible treatment and they work so hard to keep her spirit up with the provision of puzzles, games, books and DVD’s
Sharelle is physically strong at this moment in time but has a lot of treatment to go through that we hope will not take to much out of her or anyone of the family because we realise we all need to be strong for her at this very important time. Nor do we want Sharelle to suffer with anxiety and dependency on us as a result of this long term treatment and their one hope is that soon they will have their youngest daughter back with them and playing with her sisters, cousins and friends in her garden.
The family are so grateful for all the support they have received to date and the strength that people have shown them travels with them at all times.
I asked the family if they would be content for me to set up this page and to tell their story and they agreed. All I want to see if I can do is raise some funds for them, no matter how big or small to try to assist them in these troubling times so they can continue to support Sharelle and their children.
As a community, we are all struggling at the present time but the one thing that always amazes me that collectively our spirit is never broken by troubling news or difficult times and we all rally to offer help to our own and those we love are care for.
Organizer
Stephen Karl Hunt
Organizer
Wales