Meet six-year-old Dulcie.

Dulcie had a swollen tummy and had been treated for impacted faecal matter for around a year, but the swelling still didn’t go away.

In December 2021, after lots of tests and scans, Dulcie’s parents were shocked to find out their little girl had stage four Neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival at diagnosis.

Since then, Dulcie has had surgery to remove her 1.2kg tumour and was then referred to Leeds Children’s Hospital for specialist treatment, where she is now part of a clinical trial to help her cancer remain stable.

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Read more: Leeds Children’s Hospital and University of Leeds launch new research centre

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Dulcie’s family travel over 130 miles from their home in Telford to take part in the pioneering clinical trial in the hope that it will help provide better treatments and potentially a cure for children with Neuroblastoma.

Debbie, Dulcie’s mum told us how the research trials Dulcie is involved in have given her family hope:

“We’re incredibly grateful that Dulcie has been given the opportunity to take part in ground-breaking research trials as part of her treatment. As a family, this also gives us hope for the future that there’s a chance for Dulcie to get better and lead a full, happy life, which is what every mother wants for their child.”

Cancer treatment is scary for any child, but Dulcie loves the staff at the hospital who help her and understands why it’s important. Dulcie said:

“I don’t really like the treatment, but I love seeing the doctors and nurses at the hospital and I know it’s helping me kick cancers butt! When my mummy told me I was going to be part of the trial I said, “I’m helping other children with cancer aren’t I, mummy?”

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Read more: CHORAL – Child Health Outcomes Research at Leeds

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Find out more on the CHORAL website

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