Raising Awareness

Mia’s appeal 

Mia Young was aged 5 from Treorchy in Rhondda Cynon Taff when she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia just over 24 months ago. It is a rare form of cancer, with only 750 cases diagnosed per year in the UK.

The first step in knowing there was an issue came after Mia failed a school eye test which prompted (Mia’s mother) to book her in for a follow up appointment a week later at Specsavers in Treorchy for further investigation.

‘Mia was fit and well with no symptoms of vision problems whatsoever so I thought it was strange she had failed the test. ‘We took her to Specsavers for further investigations – but I couldn’t have anticipated what would come next.’

Geraint Jones, optometrist director at Specsavers Treorchy, conducted Mia’s examination and noticed an unusual appearance to the blood vessels near the optic nerve at the back of the one eye.

He immediately referred Mia to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, where – after numerous tests – medical staff confirmed her diagnosis of leukaemia. It was found that her white cell count was 460,000 per cubic millimeter – estimated at between 50 to 100 times higher than normal in a child.

The diagnosis came as a particular shock to Us as a family and medical staff alike, as chronic myeloid leukaemia is predominantly found in over 60s. She continues to receive oral chemotherapy and has been supported by the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff.

‘Mia has spent the last 24 months on daily chemotherapy but had the heartbreaking news that the chemotherapy is no longer working and shes been given a trial of new chemotherapy and will undergo a bone marrow transplant in a few months Providing this new trial works. They then suffered more devistating news Mia’s mother had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and is also terminally ill. Mia’s mother has had an intense course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and has also undergone surgery and is awaiting more surgery, however Mia’s mother will need to put her treatment on hold to be able to stay with Mia for aslong as shes able to and to support her through this devastating time. We have been working quite closely with Specsavers trying to raise as much awareness as we can about the importance of eye tests and from the bottom of our hearts we would like to thank them for their quick action and efficiency towards Mia’s diagnosis. 

We are looking for any help with fundraising / donations ect to help support us as a family whilst family members spend several months staying in bristol and travelling back and forth supporting Mia and also back home supporting Mia’s sister Ella who’s 8 to try and keep some normality for her such as schooling etc, if you feel your able to help in anyway even if it’s just an idea with regards to fundraising please contact us on 

ellaandmiasrainbows@yahoo.com

It’s been a difficult time for us as a family we have tried to make Ella and Mia’s Christmas as special as possible Mia will turn 7 in a couple of weeks before she goes for her bone marrow transplant and we are hoping restrictions will ease so we can at least give her the special birthday she deserves, a big thank you to everyone that follows our journey and supports us through our most difficult times of our lives.  

many thanks for taking the time to read our story.

Kind regards

The Young Family x