A COMMUNITY in Newport is rallying around after a four-year-old girl was diagnosed with Leukaemia.

Laiah Palmer, four, received the diagnosis on September 13 after being ill for a while.

Dad Mike Palmer said: “Laiah had been ill for a while picking up colds and such. We managed to get a visit from the health visitor, and she sent us to A&E.”

South Wales Argus: Laiah PalmerLaiah Palmer

Mr Palmer praised the staff at the Grange hospital for their quick diagnosis which allowed for his daughter to begin treatment almost instantly.

“At the Grange, she had blood tests and within 24 hours we had the diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and was transferred to Noah’s Ark where she began her first chemotherapy treatment the next day.

“It was a bit of a whirlwind. She’s now on her second lot of chemotherapy treatment and is in high spirits.

“It’s a long course of treatment – two and a half years – but she’s responding well to it so far. She’s just getting on with it and never moans. No matter what’s put in front of her, she just gets on with it.

“It’s testament to her, she’s a fighter.”

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South Wales Argus: Laiah PalmerLaiah Palmer

Mr Palmer’s schoolfriend Joe Ross is holding a fundraising day at his business Workwear Supermarket in Newport. Mr Ross said: “Being a father myself this story really hit home, Laiah is an inspiration to us all and after hearing about her diagnosis I was eager to get involved with helping them raise the funds they need to get through this difficult time.”

South Wales Argus: Joe RossJoe Ross

The event will take place on Friday, November 19 at Workwear Supermarket at Leeway Industrial Estate, Newport. There will be giveaways throughout the day and a 10 per cent discount on all products in the store. There will also be free teas and coffees available.

Anyone is invited to attend on Friday. The fundraising event aims to help the Palmer family raise £2,000. There is also a group of friends preparing to run the Newport Half Marathon in March in aid of the cause https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/laiah-palmer?utm_term=r8jxjNz6X

 

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Mr Palmer said: “The support we have had from schoolfriends like Joe is amazing. These types of things are keeping us going at the moment.

“We will be spending a few hours at the event on Friday morning, and we are looking forward to it.

“We can’t thank people enough for what they have done for us. All the stuff Joe has done is amazing as we cannot thank him enough. It is mind-blowing what people do when you are in a situation that you don’t expect to be in. It shows everyone sticks together in our community.

“I can’t stress enough how taken aback we are by what people have done for us.”