Family's joy as boy, 4, finishes cancer treatment in time for Christmas

A family from Hillingdon are celebrating what they call the "best Christmas present they could ask for", after their four-year-old son finished his leukaemia treatment.

Noah Karunananthan and his twin Naima had just turned two when he was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in May 2022.

ALL is a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.

Noah began chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street immediately but during treatment, he developed a serious fungal infection that caused a stroke.

It was feared he may never walk, talk or even smile again but eventually, after a brain biopsy, Noah slowly began to recover and with the help of intensive physiotherapy, he began to move and walk again.

Noah's mother, Dilly Kuruppu, described the moment he got his smile back: "He was expressionless. Because of the stroke he didn't have a smile. A few months later his smile started to emerge, it was just a little smirk ... it was just the most joyous moment."

Ms Kuruppu, and Noah's father Sabe Karunananthan, have praised the hospital's Play team - which is fully funded by GOSH Charity - for their role in helping Noah recover.

The Play team is made up of around 50 specialists and workers, who design fun activities to aid children's recovery or help them overcome anxieties around procedures.

Claire Gillman, who worked with Noah during his treatment, says play is a "hugely vital" part of recovery.

"Obviously the medical side is massively important because without that we don't know where we'd be but from a play point of view I would say it's not far behind," she said.

After two and a half years, Noah has now finished his treatment and was able to celebrate getting the all clear by ringing the Great Ormond Street bell.

Mr Karunananthan described it as a "pretty amazing" moment.

"There were some dark days in there, we didn't know if he would walk, talk. Even wiggling his fingers was a big thing for us," he said.

Speaking from the hospital, Ms Kuruppu added: "I used to hear the bell ringing in this very spot, laying there with Noah and I just never imagined that we'd ever get to that stage."

And it was also a big moment for the hospital staff who helped Noah on his journey.

Ms Gillman said: "He has come so, so far. It was really lovely and actually very emotional."

Noah is now back at home and doing well. He still suffers from the effects of the stroke but his parents say keeping up with his sister is "natural rehabilitation".

The family will be able to celebrate Christmas together for the first time since Noah's diagnosis, something that Great Ormond Street's Christmas appeal is trying to allow other children to do too.

They are also raising money to make it extra special for those who have to stay in hospital of the holidays.

Noah's family say Great Ormond Street will always have "a special place in our hearts".

Mr Karunananthan said "I smile when I come here now. We could have lost him. but I'll never forget that they saved him."

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