Cooper Dunn was rushed to hospital after complaining of having a sore leg while at nursey, but after getting checked out at the hospital he and his family were handed a devastating diagnosis
A boy was handed a devastating diagnosis after he complained about having a sore leg at nursery.
Cooper Dunn featured on BBC’s Children in Need after he was told he had leukaemia when he was rushed to hospital due to his leg. His mum, Cailean, bravely shared the details of her family’s story and explained how medics told her Cooper, from Lanarkshire in Scotland, would need three years of treatment.
She also highlighted a local charity, Jak’s Den, which provides practical, social and emotional support to children and young people with cancer. The charity has played a massive part in Cooper’s treatment staff visited him in hospital, bringing him arts, crafts and music to make the time away from home less daunting.
Appearing on the show Cailean said: “Cooper was a couple months shy of his third birthday and the nursery informed me that he had been complaining that his leg was sore and that they had been carrying him about for the last hour. So I decided to take him to A&E to have him looked over. The doctor said because she couldn’t find anything physical wrong with him apart from the obvious limp that she was going to run a blood test.
“Two doctors came in and said that they were very sorry but it was leukaemia. Your life literally changes overnight. Team Jak used to bring in things like crafts, wee games or music therapy. The first thing I noticed was actually how smiley people were. I feel like Team Jak was a total lifeline. I don’t think they realise how amazing they are.”
Colette, a Children, Young People and Family Co-ordinator at Team Jak Foundation- Jak’s Den also said: “When a cancer diagnosis happens they’re isolated to protect them from infection. Team Jak are very privileged that we get to visit the families when they’re in hospital, and we can be a friendly face because he needs us. We have seen Cooper grow and learn and develop into this fantastic wee cracker of a boy.”
Dozens were touched by the family’s story and important work the charity do, the Daily Record reports. Kat Lennon said: “Crying watching this, well done for sharing your story.”
Stacey Callaghan: “You all done amazing. My kids were both watching and loved that team Jak was on the TV. They both want to donate there birthday money.” Claire Baldwin added: “What a superstar Cooper is! Lewis was looking at the TV and getting excited to see Colette and Jak’s Den.”
While Hazel McLinden said: “Wow how amazing. Super Cooper and his amazing Mum you are superstars. How amazing to see how far you have both come over the last two years.” You can find out more about Jak’s Den here and donate to BBC’s Children in Need here.
