Evelyn Armstrong who spent the first seven weeks of her life in hospital after being born with neuroblastoma.
Published: September 1, 2022 | Updated: 3rd September 2022
Businesses are rallying round to help the family of a 17-week-old baby who was born with a rare form of cancer.
A fundraising event in aid of Evelyn Armstrong takes place at the Bournemouth Carlton Hotel next Thursday, September 8, from 5pm until 9pm.
A large number of businesses have already pledged support by donating prizes for auction or raffle.
Evelyn, pictured left, spent the first seven weeks of her life in hospital after being born in April with neuroblastoma.
The cancer develops from specialised nerve cells (neuroblasts) left behind from a baby’s development in the womb.
It most commonly occurs in one of the adrenal glands situated above the kidneys and can spread to other organs, such as the bone marrow, bone, lymph nodes, liver and skin.
Around 100 children are affected by neuroblastoma each year in the UK.
In Evelyn’s case, the primary tumour on her adrenal gland had spread to her liver.
At the age of just 15 days she received her first round of chemotherapy.
It’s thought she’s the second youngest person to receive the treatment.
She then contracted sepsis and also reacted to the chemotherapy, ending up in Southampton General Hospital’s high dependency unit on breathing support.
However, she kept declining and had to receive heart and lung scans.
She also got sepsis for a second time.
Doctors then decided Evelyn needed to be under the care of the paediatric intensive care (PICU), requiring sedation to give her tiny body a rest.
After five days in PICU, the chemotherapy treatment began to work, and the tumour on her liver began to shrink.
By day seven, she no longer needed her breathing aids and was stable enough to undergo a second round of chemotherapy a week later.
This succeeded in shrinking the tumours on her liver but not the primary tumour on her left adrenal gland which will be closely monitored.
Evelyn finally went home to her family in Poole, including her two big sisters and a brother, when she was seven weeks old.
However, she will be under hospital care, including regular blood tests, scans and consultations, for at least her childhood years.
Charlotte and Keith with Evelyn.
Evelyn’s mum, Charlotte, 34, said being told her daughter had cancer was the “most heart-breaking surreal moment”.
She added: “I pray Evelyn, and us as a family, never have to go through that moment again.
“I pray Evelyn is as bright and happy as she is now.”
Dad, Keith, 40, who works at BOFA International in Poole, said the past four months had been “very difficult”.
He added: “Evelyn is picking up, and she’s a real fighter.
“We’re both just very grateful for the support we’ve received.”
Michelle Dougan, pictured left, of Arcadia Beauty Spa, is organising the September 8 fundraiser.
Tickets cost £10, which will act as a donation, and include a glass of fizz on arrival, a goody bag and entry into a prize draw.
Tickets are available on the door but a goody bag can only be guaranteed for those who purchase in advance.
The top raffle prize is a weekend break in a luxury caravan for up to six people at Poole’s Rockley Park,
Other prizes include:
AFC Bournemouth has also donated a signed football for auction.
Businesses joining the fundraising event include Loving Life Lillie, Stars by Stevie card readings and Designs by Danielle.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Anyone unable to attend but who would like to make a donation can do so here.
