“I Only Learnt Zak Had Cancer After He Stubbed His Toe,” Says Mum Of Little Boy From Crawley

Cheeky little Zakariyah, or Zak as his family call him, was just two years old when he was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

It all started when Zak stubbed his toe. The injury never seemed to heal and he was eventually given a blood test, which confirmed that Zak had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

For his mum Amina and dad Suhaib it was beyond comprehension. They learnt that his immune system was very low and if he hadn’t injured his toe, they would have found out about the cancer another way at some point.

Within weeks, Zak was on an intensive programme of chemo and steroids treatment at The Royal Marsden Hospital.

The doses gradually intensified over a three-month period. At one point Zak was receiving chemo nearly every day and his hair fell out.

Then for about a year Zak received maintenance treatment. Now every six months he has a lumbar puncture, as well as chemo once a month. Amina and Suhaib also have to administer other drugs to Zak at home, as part of his complicated treatment plan.

It has not been easy for Zak’s parents to come to terms with his cancer diagnosis.

Amina says:

“When he was diagnosed I felt disbelief and shock. Our whole world was turned upside down.”

The doctors at St George’s Hospital in Tooting praised Amina for following her maternal instincts, because she kept pushing for him to be seen.

Life with cancer is tough for little Zak. He has good days and bad days, when he feels sick and his legs hurt. He also gets jaw ache. But because he is so young, he doesn’t know anything different.

Cancer has not dimmed Zak’s vibrant personality. Amina describes him as: “Playful and such a joy. You never see him upset over anything. Everyone loves Zak. He’s a very active child who loves riding bikes, swimming and playing football. He never sits still.

Although the intense phase of his treatment is over, Zak’s cancer experience is far from over.

Helping him on his journey is a special sensory Cuddles for Christmas Warmies® bear, which has accompanied him on his hospital visits, providing reassurance during the toughest moments.

“It’s been the hardest two years of my life,” says Amina,

“which is why the arrival of Cancer Support UK’s Warmies heatable cuddly bear was so welcome.

"The bear brought joy into Zak’s life. He finds great comfort holding his cuddly ted when he goes to sleep and plays with it constantly.

"This is why we are supporting Cancer Support UK’s Cuddles for Christmas appeal.”                                                          

Cancer Support UK wants to deliver 1,200 cuddly sensory Warmies teds to children’s cancer wards across the UK by 21 December.

The charity is asking as many people as possible to support their Cuddles for Christmas campaign by making a donation to help deliver a very special bear to a child undergoing surgery and treatment in hospital.

Donations can be made to the campaign here: https://cancersupportuk.org/christmas-cuddles-2024/

Mark Guymer, Cancer Support UK’s CEO, says:

“These bears are not just cute soft toys, they are special lavender scented sensory teds from Warmies which can be heated in a microwave.

"The warmth and weight of the bear, provides comfort and a soothing reassuring presence. 

"A cuddle with a ted can also limit stress and help a child handle difficult emotions, which is vital when they are undergoing treatment that can be frightening and painful.

"With our Cuddles for Christmas appeal we want to send a sensory bear to every child facing cancer this Christmas.

"These bears have been welcomed by hospitals across the UK for the past four years, and we are appealing to the public to support our appeal to bring a little joy to the lives of children with cancer."