Polegate teenager diagnosed with leukaemia following back pains

A 16-year-old boy from Polegate has been diagnosed with leukaemia after experiencing back pain.

Doctors discovered Oliver Williams had cancer of the blood cells in September after eight weeks of pain.

Oliver’s family and friends are now trying to raise money as his mum has had to take a step back from work to help care for her son.

According to Oliver’s aunt, Brogan Blake, his dad has also had to take time off work to drive his son to and from hospital.

Mrs Blake said, “All we really want is we want to support Sian and Richard as much as we possibly can in order for them to support Oliver because Sian has had to give up her job and Richard is limited to working because of his hours at work.”

Since his diagnosis, Oliver has been receiving treatment at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton and at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton.

Mrs Blake said, “It was absolutely terrifying but also knowing he was at the Marsden when we received the diagnosis, it’s a nationally-renowned hospital for being a specialist in cancer.

“You knew he was in the best place possible, and also they didn’t make it feel like it was a very big outlook. They gave a lot of support.

“They said, ‘This is very, very treatable. It is going to be a very long journey but it is very likely that he will survive’.”

As part of his recovery, Oliver visits the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital three times a week and has received blood transfusions and chemotherapy.

Mrs Blake added, “It is a lot for a young boy to go through. He is going to lose his hair and his mobility is terrible. He can’t get around without crutches, a Zimmer frame or a wheelchair.