Mother Recommends Taking Part in Research

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we hear from a mother who recommends taking part in research after her young daughter was diagnosed with cancer.

Faith Toogood, is a mum of two daughters living in Rock, North Cornwall. The Intensive Care Dietician and her family’s lives were turned upside down when over the Christmas period in 2021, their youngest daughter, Coco, was diagnosed with a blood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).  Coco underwent treatment for over two years.

Shortly after diagnosis, Coco, who was only six at the time was entered on a study looking at new treatment for ALL. The study was aimed at children and young adults who have just been diagnosed with the condition.

Faith said “A clinical background and a basic understanding of what this meant was a huge plus point as it probably took away a lot of the fear and uncertainty that I would imagine some parents have at the thought of a ‘trial’.

The explanations of what was happening, what the trial involved and what the randomisation meant/would mean were all delivered sensitively and by kind, warm and compassionate individuals but it was a vast amount of information to take on board.

I would recommend taking part in research because I see the other end of how clinical trials pave the way for improved treatment and outcomes. I shall eagerly await the trial results as they begin to be published in the coming years.”