A TEN-YEAR-OLD girl has spent the majority of the past six months in hospital after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia.
After coming out in "little bruises" and being tired more than usual, Eva Thornley, from Tyldesley, was taken for a check-up at the doctor's back in July.
Despite nothing showing up, her mum Katrina pushed for further scans, which found that Eva had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia; a form of blood cancer that is most commonly found in adults over the age of 60.
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Since the devastating diagnosis, Eva has had to remain at Manchester Children's Hospital for the majority of the last six months as she is at a very high risk of infection.
Katrina, 34, said: "Eva is a very active and popular girl who used to love going to school and sleepovers.
"At the moment, she can't live a normal life or do anything a normal 10-year-old can and has had to sit in hospital pretty much 24/7 since her diagnosis.
"She is very strong, but obviously this is frustrating for her.
"There have been other impacts too. Her appetite has changed since her treatment and she's started losing weight and her hair."
Since Eva's diagnosis, she has been through regular bouts of chemotherapy and blood transfusions, and is now waiting on a cord blood stem cell transplant on Thursday, December 29.
Although this means that the 10-year-old will have to remain in hospital over Christmas, the potentially life saving operation is hoped to rid her body of cancerous cells and replenish them with healthy bloody cells.
It has been an extremely challenging time for Eva, Katrina, her sister Lily, and dad Scott, but they have been continually supported by the "brilliant" staff at the Manchester Children's Hospital.
Their support encouraged Lily, 15, to organise a charity walk for the children's ward to show the family's appreciation, which raised more than £3000.
However, trying to cope with the cost of living crisis on top of a devastating cancer diagnosis, Katrina is now fundraising to help the family get by over Christmas.
Katrina added: "I don't think you realise how much a diagnosis like this will change your life and how it can completely turn your life upside down.
"I know everybody is struggling financially at the moment but I just wanted to raise a bit of money so the girls can have a more enjoyable Christmas and something to look forward to.
"I also want to encourage any parent not to hesitate to take their child to the doctor's if they think something is wrong.
"If I hadn't pushed for Eva's blood tests, her cancer could have progressed and we would have been left without a chance."
To support the Thornley family, you can donate to their fundraiser here.
To find out more about Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, you can visit the NHS website here.
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