Leukaemia survivor, 11, enters ‘new chapter’ after starting secondary school

A leukaemia patient has begun a ‘new chapter of his life’ by starting secondary school this week.

Nathan Dunne, 11, was treated at Epsom Hospital with a pioneering chemotherapy treatment that took just 30 minutes per session.

The cancer treatment – known as Vincristine – meant he was ‘back home and in his pyjamas’ within 90 minutes of leaving his home in Worcester Park.

Nathan also had blood transfusions alongside Vincristine before his treatment ended last year.

His mum Oana said her son starting secondary school marked the start of a ‘new chapter’ for him.

Nathan and mother image

She said: “We can finally see that there is a new normal.

“We had a lovely summer as it marked a year since Nathan ended his treatment and we are looking forward to the new chapter of his life.”

This update comes as we mark World Leukaemia Day on September 4.

Held every year globally, the day aims to raise awareness of leukaemia – a type of blood cancer.

Nathan was six in 2020 when he started complaining of tummy aches, and started to feel very tired.

Oana said one day she had to carry him home from the park because he couldn’t walk, and on another occasion Nathan had a wobbly tooth that wouldn’t stop bleeding for two days.

Nathan also had a swollen finger that hurt when using his iPad.

Oana sought help and Nathan was referred to St Helier Hospital for blood tests. This is when the family received the devastating news that there was a 90 per cent chance Nathan had leukaemia.

Oana said: “We were devastated – it was the shock of our lives.

“I didn’t think for a moment that was what it would be.”

Nathan and mother image

The diagnosis was officially confirmed shortly afterwards in June, and Nathan spent a night at St Helier Hospital before being transferred to Epsom Hospital’s paediatric oncology unit (POSCU).

Nathan moved to the Royal Marsden, on his seventh birthday, and spent the next few months in the care of the teams there.

Oana says Nathan understood what was happening to some extent – knowing “there was something wrong with his blood” and that he was “very poorly”. Treatment started quickly and every day.

Nathan visited Epsom every four weeks to have treatment and the Royal Marsden every 12 weeks.

Oana has praised his care as ‘incredible’.