Grimsby schoolgirl receives national award for bravery in battling acute leukaemia

Ruby Leaning was just 6 years old when she was diagnosed and in need of a bone marrow transplant

Author: About Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People, Charlotte LinnecarPublished 27th Jan 2023

A Grimsby schoolgirl who is recovering well from leukaemia after a bone marrow transplant from her younger sister has been recognised with a special national award.

Ruby Leaning was just six when she collapsed at school and was rushed to hospital in January 2020. She arrived at 2.30pm and by 11pm she had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - a cancer of the white blood cells.

Now aged nine, Ruby has received a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award, in partnership with TK Maxx, for the courage she showed throughout her treatment, much of which she faced alone due to lockdown restrictions.

Every child nominated receives the accolade, which is backed by a host of famous faces, including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.

There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. The awards are open to all children under 18 who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years.*

As well as a star-shaped trophy, Ruby received a £50 TK Maxx gift card, T-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities. Her sister, four-year-old Mabel, the donor for Ruby’s life-saving bone marrow transplant, also received a certificate.

Ruby’s mum, Rebecca, 32, said the cancer journey started “by fire” as there had been few indicators of Ruby’s disease before she collapsed.

“She was tired and pale, but that was it. I distinctly remember on Christmas Eve thinking she looked really pale, but she’d just had a cold, so your mind doesn’t jump to cancer.”

Recalling 9 January, 2020, when Ruby collapsed, Rebecca said: “I got a call from the school and when I got there the headmistress was waiting for me, and I just knew in my gut something serious was going on.

“When I got to her, she was sat on a chair and didn’t even realise I was there. We got her calmed down, but she just wasn’t making any sense.

“When she got to A&E, she vomited and looked loads better. Then there was a bruise that started forming on her head, so I called the school to ask if she’d hit her head when she fell, but they said no.

“I’m a chiropractor by trade, so I’ve got a bit of medical knowledge and my first thought was leukaemia. You cling on to it not being until the very last second, but when we were asked into a formal meeting room I knew it wasn’t going to be a pleasant experience and it certainly wasn’t - it was the worst moment of my life.”

Ruby was initially put on the lowest intensity of treatment. She was moved to the highest intensity after six weeks, but that “didn’t even touch” the leukaemia. A bone marrow transplant was advised and that was when the family got what Rebecca described as “our first real win”.

“We were told there was only one place we could get a perfect related match and that would be a sibling. I knew in my gut Mabel was going to be a match and we’d have a My Sister’s Keeper moment, being in this situation of having one daughter at death’s door and having to throw the other at her to save her, and there being nothing else we could do.

“I remember being on the train feeling pretty awful and helpless - my daughter’s got cancer, treatment’s not working, I’m missing all my family, I’ve quit my job - when my husband, Nick, rang to say our consultant had called and Mabel was a perfect match, and I just burst into tears in the middle of the train. I call her my shooting star. It was the lowest moment of my life and she just flew over.”

Ruby had to have constant chemotherapy to be ready for a transplant and Rebecca said she will “always remember her running around in the back garden, with a backpack on and chemo running through her”.

Once Ruby was ready and the transplant was scheduled, she got COVID.

Rebecca explained: “I haven’t got a clue how she caught it because you can imagine we’d battened down the hatches.

“We obviously had to delay the transplant by two weeks and we had to have a conversation about whether she could go into this with COVID in her system because we didn’t know how the drugs were going to react. She was the first case worldwide where this decision had to be made.

“We were told the leukaemia was going to kill her, so we had to take the chance.”

The transplant took place eight days after Mabel’s second birthday and three days before Ruby’s seventh.

In January 2021, Ruby achieved her goal of returning to school at Laceby Acres Academy and she dreams of becoming of a nurse. Mabel, who is now affectionately called ‘Mabel Marrow’ by family and friends, is also a Laceby Acres pupil.

Rebecca gave up her job whilst Ruby went through treatment, but is now working for the family artificial wedding flower business, GroovyRuby. She and husband Nick, 37, a mechanical engineer, make a monthly donation to Cancer Research UK after Ruby’s experience.

Last year, the family arranged for Ruby to ring a bell in front of loved ones - cancer patients often ring a ceremonial bell upon finishing treatment, but Ruby was unable to because of the pandemic.

Poignantly, the bell she rang previously belonged to her great-grandad, Roy Leaning, who died from cancer in 2018.

Rebecca said: “He was a fabulous man and made of strong stuff himself. Ruby loved him and we’ve got videos of them singing together, so there couldn’t have been a more fitting moment.”

When Rebecca found out about the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards she did not hesitate to nominate Ruby.

“She loves the Star Award. It means a lot for the whole family and her friends to see her get that little bit of extra recognition.

“When you get thrust into the world of childhood cancer and you get on the wards, it blows my mind. I don’t think the children, the staff or the researchers who pave the way for them to be treated get anywhere near the recognition they deserve. The amazing things that are happening daily are inspirational.

“With Ruby, she was about to go in for a bone marrow transplant and none of her family were allowed to come and see her, or give her a hug, because of the pandemic.

“She did that journey on her own and she’s got no idea what demons she slayed. Everyone around her was in a mask, looking scary. She didn’t moan once, she always kept smiling and I find it unbelievable. I’m so inspired by her every day - she’s my hero.

“As for the researchers, they’re one of the most important parts of your battle. It really humbles me to think there are people out there getting up every day and looking for a way to cure your child or your family member. They are literal life-savers.”

Around 270 children are diagnosed with cancer in the East Midlands every year, but research is helping to transform survival.

Through the Star Awards, the charity hopes to shine a light on some of the challenges faced by children, like Ruby, that its scientists are working to tackle.

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the East Midlands Michael Jarvis said:

“Ruby is a real star who has been through so much at such a young age. It has been an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate her courage with a Star Award as well as giving Mabel a certificate.

“As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the progress made in the fight against the disease, but there’s still much further to go. Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults, from the types of cancer to the impact of treatment - and many youngsters may experience serious long-term side effects. That’s why we’re supporting dedicated research to ensure more children and young people survive cancer with a good quality of life.

“We’re urging people in Grimsby and beyond to nominate inspirational children like Ruby for a Star Award now, so many more affected by this devastating disease can receive the acknowledgement they so richly deserve.”

The Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx, the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s and young people’s cancers. Since 2004, the retailer has raised over £43 million for vital research to help improve survival and reduce the long-term side effects of treatments.

Group Marketing & Corporate Responsibility Director for TJX Europe Deborah Dolce said:

“As part of our commitment to support children and young people facing cancer, TK Maxx is delighted to support the Star Awards for the 14th year running. The awards recognise the incredible bravery and determination these children show as they undergo treatment and we’re in awe of each and every one of them. Cancer Research UK is working tirelessly to improve survival rates and reduce long-term side effects, and we’re very pleased to continue to support their vital work.”

To nominate a star visit cruk.org/starawards

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