A mum spotted a deadly tumour behind her young son’s eye thanks to a cancer awareness campaign.
Rhiannon Malbas was handed a symptom card at work featuring the case of Grace Kelly who died of the disease aged four.
Days later she noticed her two-year-old son Xavi’s left eye had “turned in”, a possible sign of cancer.
He was referred to a specialist who detected a large tumour behind his eye.
Now, after months of chemo and laser therapy, the growth has shrunk and doctors hope Xavi will fully recover. Rhiannon, 37, said: “If we had waited any longer he would have lost the eye.
“My husband and parents couldn’t see anything but Xavi’s nursery teacher commented on the same thing.”
Rhiannon, who lives with husband Mark, 34, and their baby daughter Rosa in Worcester, added: “Doctors are pleased with Xavi’s progress.”
Little Grace, who died of cancer in 2014 just weeks after being diagnosed, was featured in cartoon form on the symptom card given to Rhiannon.
This came from the charity set up by Grace’s mum Jennifer, who lives in nearby Crowle. Rhiannon has contacted the family to thank her and will run the Worcester 10k a week on Sunday for the Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust.
Speaking during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Jennifer, 35, said: “When we heard the cards had resulted in a diagnosis for Xavi, we felt so humbled.
“It makes what we’re doing worthwhile.
“Grace’s legacy is helping save children.
“We are aware of six children who have been diagnosed as a result of the cards.” Rhiannon has since uncovered a photograph from her son’s christening which shows a white dot on his left eye, another possible clue to childhood cancer.
She said: “I was shocked the tumour was there at six months but not detected.”
So far, 400,000 “Grace” cards have gone to new mothers.
- For more details, or to order awareness cards, go to www.gracekellyladybird.co.uk
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