Lucas was just 3 years old when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
When a cold turns out to be something more
Lucas Gough was just three years old in 2022 when his mum, Sian, began noticing that something wasn’t right. He was constantly ill with fevers and bugs – something she first put down to starting nursery and picking up lots of infections. But then came the days when Lucas couldn’t walk and cried out in pain.
Sian took him to an urgent care centre, followed by A&E, where doctors told her he had growing pains. After several more visits and worrying symptoms, Lucas continued to experience great pain and was extremely distressed. So he was again admitted to hospital for further tests.
Then came the words no parent wants to hear: cancer.
Lucas was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and began treatment at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.
“He started steroids and chemotherapy straight away,” says Sian. “At the end of the induction phase, he still had minimal residual disease, so they moved him to the strongest chemo regimen. It’s been intense.”
Now six, Lucas is in the maintenance stage and still undergoing treatment, which will continue until October 2025.
Lucas loved receiving his Kids’ Cancer Kit – it really cheered him up
A gift that came at the perfect time
Amid the whirlwind of hospital stays, treatment schedules and emotional ups and downs, something special arrived for Lucas: a Kids’ Cancer Kit from Cancer Support UK.
These comforting, child-friendly kits include practical items like warm socks, wipes and a cuddly, sensory Warmies® bunny – all designed to support children through the harsh reality of treatment.
“Lucas loved receiving the kit – it really cheered him up (and us too!). The contents were so thoughtful, with lots of things he could use in hospital stays. It meant so much to know that someone cared enough to try and make Lucas’ life a little bit brighter in the hardest times,” says Sian.
Lucas adores his yellow thermal Minion socks, which were part of his Kids’ Kit from Cancer Support UK
“He especially loved the thermal Minion socks – he still wears them all the time.”
Each year, around 1,900 children in the UK are diagnosed with cancer, facing long hospital stays and exhausting therapies. Cancer Support UK wants every child to receive a free Kids’ Cancer Kit, filled with comfort and joy at the time they need it most.
Lucas loves cuddling his sensory Warmies® bunny – one of the items in his Kids’ Cancer Kit
How cancer changed everything for Lucas’ family
Cancer didn’t just impact Lucas – it upended life for his whole family. Sian had to take a year off work to care for him, which affected them financially and emotionally.
“There’s nothing in place to protect jobs for parents of poorly children. I felt awful being away from my daughters when Lucas was in hospital. I have had times where I have been extremely anxious and felt like I couldn’t cope with all the worrying. It has affected every aspect of our lives.”
Lucas’ sisters, Robyn (11) and Jessica (6), get occasional respite from a local charity, while the family relies heavily on relatives for help with childcare and emergency hospital trips.
“When Lucas has a fever, we sometimes have to call someone in the middle of the night so we can rush him in. It’s a constant juggle.”
Lucas has faced his cancer treatment with great courage
Big feelings, big heart
Lucas may be small, but he’s full of personality. He’s smart, thoughtful and full of “big feelings.” He loves dogs – especially his family’s Dalmatian, Dash – and he adores music, from Matilda the Musical to My Little Pony songs.
He’s also started going back to school and riding his scooter (“I’m a firefly!” he says proudly), trying to embrace as much normality as possible in between hospital visits, chemotherapy, steroids and lumbar punctures.
“It’s been a journey of emotions – terror, confusion, shock,” says Sian. “But you have to take it all in your stride. We just try to embrace every moment.”
Our Kids’ Cancer Kit contains items, which are practical, comforting and entertaining – helping children with cancer feel less alone while in hospital
Help children like Lucas get the support they need
We want to ensure that every child diagnosed with cancer, like Lucas, has access to a free Kids’ Cancer Kit. You can help by playing our Cancer Support UK Lottery.
Play the Lottery and help change lives
This is more than a game. It’s a chance to fill hospital rooms with warmth, smiles, and moments of joy – one child at a time.
