Louise Child was diagnosed with leukaemia last April while 32 weeks pregnant with her second son, Harvey.

While she was suffering with some of the common symptoms of the disease, Louise initially dismissed them as pregnancy side effects.

After going for a blood test for a sore mouth, Louise, from Feniscowles, received a dreaded call from Blackpool Hospital telling them to come to see them immediately.

At 11pm on April 17, the family’s world changed forever after Louise's Leukaemia diagnosis. 

Louise Child, 40, with Charlie, 3.

Doctors told her she would have to give birth eight weeks earlier than normal.

Louise said: “We were told that they needed to get the baby out in 48 hours so they could start chemotherapy.

“It just didn’t sink in. It all happened so quickly."

Her fiancé, Donald Wharton, said:  “It was like it wasn’t real, like we were living in a daze or a bad dream."

Less than 48 hours later, baby Harvey was born and Louise started her chemotherapy treatment just an hour after giving birth.

Donald had high praise for staff on the haematology ward.

He said: “They were really kind and caring and really looked after us.

“They made the ordeal so much easier.”

For months after, Louise underwent intensive chemotherapy treatment.

Louise said: “Since Harvey has been born I have been in and out of hospital for long periods.”

Louise Child and Donald Wharton with sons Charlie (left) and Harvey (right).

She even had an eight week long stem cell transplant around Christmas as a last attempt at treatment; sadly, it was not successful.

Louise said: “Unfortunately, in March, they said it hadn’t worked and they can’t cure it now.”

Don said: “It's been really tough, but all our friends and family have helped us through and I'm so proud of how strong Louise has been through all of this. 

“She's showed real courage coming through the four rounds of chemo and the stem cell transplant.

“Even now when they say it's untreatable she's showing us how strong she is by enjoying her days, going on trips to the beach, eating out at a cafe and being a mum which is the most important thing for her.”

The family have now set up a GoFundMe and will also be hosting a charity raffle and football tournament in order to raise as much money as possible for charities that have supported Louise.

These will be taking place On June 11, at Witton Park. Raffle tickets cost £2 each and include great prizes, such as a £100 Bodyshop voucher and a weekend hot tub hire

The couple are raising money for three separate organisations to thank them for their help and kindness throughout Louise’s treatment and diagnosis.

They are: Mummies Star, a charity that helps families with cancer and young children; Antony Nolan, a stem cell charity which helped Louise with her treatment; and BlueSkies which is a charity at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.

You can also donate to their GoFundMe where they have raised more than £1,700 so far.

Donald said: “We couldn’t believe how much we have raised so far - it is going to a great cause and helping people, like us, who need it.”
 
Visit and donate to their GoFundMe by visiting their website: https://gofund.me/6c6af924

You can also learn more about their raffle by visiting their Facebook page, 'Louise & Don’s Charity Football Tournament and R4ffle'. 

What are the symptoms of Leukaemia?

Louise wants to raise more awareness of the symptoms of Leukaemia and encourage anyone with these symptoms to get them checked by a medical professional.

According to the NHS website, Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. Acute leukaemia means it progresses quickly and aggressively, and usually requires immediate treatment.

The symptoms usually develop over a few weeks and become worse over time.

Symptoms can include:

• looking pale or "washed out"
• feeling tired or weak
• breathlessness
• frequent infections
• unusual and frequent bruising or bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds
• losing weight without trying