Hatty Smyth is hosting a special family funday to raise money for four special charities who have been supporting her during her cancer treatment
A young Northern Irish girl who was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after her second birthday is on a mission to give back to those who have supported her as she reaches a milestone in her treatment.
Around the time of her second birthday on September 13, 2024, Hatty Smyth from Moneymore in Co Derry, started to have a runny nose and other cold-like symptoms that her parents thought she had probably picked up due to her siblings being back at school. However a couple of weeks later she had not got over the cold and she was put on a course of antibiotics by a doctor who said she should get better in a few days.
But after she had left the appointment, her mum Vikki noticed that she had developed a rash on her legs and sent a picture of it to the doctor who told her to get to A&E straight away.
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Hatty then had to undergo a number of tests with Vikki being told that her blood test results were “all over the place” and she would need to do them a second time. Following this a nurse asked her to call her husband and ask him to come to the hospital.
The worried parents were not given much news at the time other than she would be transferred to the Royal Childrens Hospital in Belfast and would need an overnight blood transfusion.
Then in the morning a doctor gave them the news that they had been expecting, Hatty had cancer and she would need a bone marrow test to find out exactly what kind. It was soon revealed to be acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Hatty had to start treatment, including chemotherapy, straight away.
Over the next few weeks the treatment proved to be very hard on Hatty and she found it very difficult, but she never let this get the better of her and was eventually able to return home. Her mum said the support of four charities in particularly were vital in helping to keep them going through Hatty’s time in hospital; Powered by Poppy, BPositive, Angel Wishes and the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity
Vikki also thanked the doctors and nurses for everything they have done to treat her, play with her and put her at ease during such a tough time as Hatty no longer has any fears of going to the hospital when it’s time for her monthly chemotherapy.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Vikki said: “When Hatty was first diagnosed and admitted to hospital everything seemed to be a bit of a blur and it was very difficult for her as she was constantly being poked and prodded with different treatments which were very hard on her.
“Being on the ward wasn’t easy for her either as she likes to go for wee walks when she was feeling up to it, but there really wasn’t much room. Thankfully the nurses and play team there were brilliant in coming up with activities for her, bringing in a sandpit and dunking for apples at Halloween, and they really help her get settled and keep her entertained.
“The support that we received from four charities, Powered by Poppy, BPositive, Angel Wishes and the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, was also vital in helping us to keep going. BPositive provides families of children going through cancer treatment with a suitcase full of supplies to help them while Angel Wishes were able to offer a bit of financial support when we were in need. Powered by Poppy were brilliant in making sure the kitchen was stocked with food and some nights being able to just grab a Pot Noodle they had brought in really meant the world to me.
“Thankfully Hatty is back home now and her treatment is not as intensive as it used to be with her only requiring chemotherapy once a month. She has no fears about going to the hospital now as well, although the chemotherapy chair is still quite daunting, as she knows she has friends there.”
In an effort to say thank you to the charities that have provided Hatty and her family with so much support, they are hosting a family funday on Sunday, September 21, at The Jungle in Moneymore, that will feature everything from llama walks and bouncy castles to archery and face painting.
Vikki said: “We don’t know where we would be without the support of these great charities so we wanted to do something to say thank you and give back to them.
“We are inviting people to join us at our family funday next week at The Jungle, and we are very thankful to Bobby and Linda Carmichael for all of their help in putting it on. It is £10 per family to enter with all the activities being completely free, and we hope that we can raise as much as possible so they can continue to help others.”
If you would like to donate to Hatty’s fundraising appeal or purchase a raffle ticket you can do to via this link
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