A new year’s challenge to help people like 7 month old Sophie

Seven month old Sophie was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in October 2018 at just 18 weeks old. Her mum Amy has joined Cancer Council’s BANuary campaign, banning meat, deep fried foods and sugar for the month of January to raise money for a cancer free future. 

When a routine blood test came back abnormal, Sophie was quickly booked in for a bone marrow biopsy and was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia the same day. That moment changed everything for her mum, Amy.

“We were devastated. I collapsed on the floor while holding my baby and cried. My husband tried to speak to the doctors but couldn’t get the words out – he was just too upset. 

As her mother, I felt like it was my fault. I had the perfect pregnancy with no complications. I was careful during my pregnancy but did I slip up? Did I do something I shouldn’t have done while I was pregnant? Had I eaten something I shouldn’t have eaten?

We will never understand how something like this can happen to a baby but we’ve come to terms with it and are doing everything we can to cure her.

So far, Sophie has responded very well to treatment. Despite some bad days with fevers, she has kept smiling, which has helped us tremendously. She is truly our little warrior.”

Sophie is almost at the end of her treatment, with a bone marrow transplant scheduled for the end of February.

“This will be the hardest phase of her treatment protocol but we will take it one day at a time. She will get through this – in my mind, there’s no alternative.”

Amy signed up for BANuary to raise money for research that will find new ways to keep children like Sophie safe from cancer. 

“No parent should ever be told that their child has cancer. No child should have to live with the consequences of having cancer. No family should experience what we’re going through.”

BANuary is a Cancer Council fundraising campaign where people pledge to break a bad habit during January to raise money to help those affected by cancer. Some people choose to forgo alcohol, while others give up taking taxis, fast food or even TV binge sessions! For more information or to take part, please visit www.banuary.com.au