Harry Daniels from Caerphilly, Wales, had bruising which parents Samantha and Christopher put down to playing football on their fake lawn – before discovering he had a form of leukaemia
A youngster’s rash turned out to be cancer despite his parents almost passing it off as a football injury.
Samantha and Christopher Daniels’ son Harry came out in the purple rash on his arm, which was initially put down to him playing on the couple’s astroturf at home in Caerphilly, Wales. But as the then-four-year-old began experiencing chest infections and other bruising, it became clear something wasn’t right.
The parents were two weeks away from their wedding day when they received the devastating blow Harry had leukaemia in April last year. Forced to decide between calling off their big day and pushing ahead despite the news, the two decided to go ahead with their vows.
Harry and his brother Oscar watched their parents walk down the aisle at Sant Ffraed House in Abergavenny, with guests told in advance about the health scare, Wales Online reports. Now six years old, Harry has since bravely undergone six months of chemotherapy at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
He had to take six chemo tablets a day as part of the gruelling treatment, and will continue until he can finally ring the bell for the all-clear in June 2026. Samantha, 41, said: “Harry is doing remarkably well and has just started year two at primary school. We are so incredibly proud of him.”
She added: “He has never once not smiled or given a thumbs up throughout all his chemotherapy. He is always happy and willing to go to every hospital admission. Harry has made his cancer journey look like a walk in the park, when inside his little body is fighting a horrible cancer. He has not once let this get the better of him and his attitude and strength has made me, his dad and older brother so proud of him. Harry is our little star.”
Before his diagnosis, Samantha took Harry to the GP after noticing unusual rashes and bruises on his body. Samantha, an employee benefits coordinator, said: “At the beginning of last year, Harry had two chest infections, one after the other, and he complained of leg pain.
“He then came out in a purple rash on his arm which spread to other areas of his body – we thought it was down to him playing football on astroturf in the garden. He then had an excessive amount of bruising on random areas of his body. We rang 111 for advice and because Harry was well with no temperature, we opted to take Harry to our GP who then referred us to the Grange for a paediatric assessment.”
Harry had a check-up and a routine blood test at the Grange Hospital in Cwmbran which led to him being diagnosed with ALL – the most common type of leukaemia in children. “We were in shock and heartbroken when we found out,” said Samantha.
“It has been such a tough time for our family, but we are pleased his leukaemia cells are currently undetectable. He is getting stronger every day and we are looking forward to him ringing the bell in 2026.”
Harry and his family are encouraging the public to donate any pre-loved quality fashion and homeware they no longer need to their nearest TK Maxx store as part of Cancer Research’s Give Up Clothes for Good campaign. Currently, more than 8 in 10 children and young people diagnosed with cancer will survive for at least 10 years due to advancements in treatment.
Samantha said: “We want to help families like ours have more moments too, so Harry and I will be having a good clear out at home to find clothes and things to donate. We hope our experience will inspire others across Wales to do the same. Their unwanted items really could save lives.”
