Chester Byrne died a month after doctors concluded he was suffering from B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) – a diagnosis his parents say they had to fight for
A toddler has died from “rapidly developing” leukaemia, just one month after his heartbroken parents were forced to fight for a diagnosis from four doctors.
Chester Byrne was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) on April 2, after his parents took him to four separate doctors. Chester’s family had taken him to the doctors, booked a private GP consultation, and even made a number of trips to their local A&E before they were told he had a “rapidly progressing” form of blood and bone cancer. Doctors had allegedly explained away the pinprick rash, lethargy, pale complexion, reduced appetite and insomnia as tiredness, forcing his mum, Emma, who “instinctively” knew something was wrong, to battle for a diagnosis.
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The family confirmed the heartbreaking news that he died on Saturday through a child cancer awareness group set up in his name. Representatives for Chester’s Chance posted on the group’s social media pages on Sunday, saying: “It is with broken hearts that I share the devastating news that the beautiful Chester passed away last night. He is now an angel in heaven.
“We are eternally grateful to the staff who cared for us as a family on the Haematology Ward, the consultants, doctors, and surgeons who worked with Chester in his final hour, the Children’s Cancer Unit, and to everyone who has sent kind words of support.
“We will continue to drive forward Chester’s legacy — and it will live on through him. Please keep Emma, David and Reuben in your thoughts and prayers as they face the unimaginable. We ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time. Forever loved, forever missed. Chester, our little lion.”
Chester’s death came just a few weeks after his mum launched a tireless campaign to ensure other parents were able to recognise the symptoms of childhood cancer.
She claimed her worries about her son’s health were dismissed by doctors early on, and the youngster didn’t receive his diagnosis until his health “rapidly went downhill”. Speaking to Belfast Live, she said: “In no way, shape, or form would I ever point the finger at anyone. I don’t want to go on a crusade of blaming doctors, but there is a massive lack of accountability being taken.
“There’s a huge breakdown in communication. My older boy has additional needs so I’ve grown a bit of a thicker skin and gained confidence around speaking with GPs. You have to push to get answers.”
“Many of the families here [in hospital] share the same experience of our concerns being dismissed or our questions not being answered. Families here have been told their kids just have growing pains and they’ve ended up being diagnosed with cancer.”
A funeral notice for Chester said he died “surrounded by his devoted parents”, and would be “lovingly mised by his “entire family circle”. The nottice added: “Chester’s bravery and spirit will guide us as we work to help other children and families facing the unimaginable.
“We love you to the moon and back forever our Chester-Roonies.”