A toddler received a devastating diagnosis after his family noticed a worrying rash just days before Christmas. Mum Shaunna Bourne, 33, discovered rashes and bruising covering then two-year-old Marley's body in December 2022.

By Boxing Day he was rushed to A&E after becoming unable to bear weight on his legs. Days later tests confirmed Marley, now five, had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia – a rare but aggressive form of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow.

Marley began his first course of chemotherapy within weeks of the diagnosis, and after five gruelling months, the family received news he'd entered remission. However, 10 months later, a routine check-up showed his platelet levels had dropped and he had relapsed.

He rang the bell for the second time just before his fourth birthday following further chemo and a stem cell transplant. But in June this year the family were heartbroken to discover the cancer had come back once more.

He is spending this Christmas at Birmingham Children's Hospital with his family. Shaunna, from Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, said: "In mid-November we realised there was no way Marley would be home for Christmas."

"He's so poorly, he needs his treatment and his immune system is at rock bottom – so we'll just make the best of it and have a much smaller Christmas with him in his hospital room.

"Of course, it's not where we want to be but if giving up this Christmas means Marley has the chance to see more Christmases, that's what we'll do."

It was December 2022, a mere two months after Marley's second birthday, when Shaunna spotted rashes and bruises all over his body, reports Nottinghamshire Live. Despite being given antibiotics by his GP, Marley's condition didn't improve, prompting Shaunna to suspect something more serious.

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On Boxing Day, Marley's health deteriorated – he was unable to bear weight on his legs, leading Shaunna to rush him to their local A&E. They spent the night in the hospital awaiting Marley's blood test results, which subsequently led to his transfer to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Marley was taken to the oncology ward for further examinations, with Shaunna reassuring herself it was merely a safety measure. However, on 29th December, the Bourne family were hit with the heartbreaking news.

Marley began his first chemotherapy cycle within weeks of his diagnosis. After an agonising five-month period, the family received the uplifting news that he was in remission, only for him to relapse a few months later.

Recalling the ordeal, Shaunna said: "It was devastating. Marley was only three at the time, and it had been a lot to go through from the initial diagnosis to treatment and then finding out it had come back. We came back for another round of chemotherapy, and this time he needed a stem cell transplant, which he had last July."

Marley coped brilliantly with his treatment, and nine weeks on, he was ringing the bell for the second time, discharged just in time to celebrate his fourth birthday. The family were overjoyed – at last they could get back to normal life, with Marley only needing to pop back for routine check-ups.

Tragically, however, this March – just seven months later – Shaunna received a devastating phone call from Marley's consultant, asking them to come in the following day. Their world came crashing down when they were told cancer had been detected in Marley's bone marrow, and heartbreakingly, in June 2025, Marley relapsed for the second time.

He endured another punishing course of chemotherapy alongside the trial drug, followed by a second stem cell transplant months later. This time, Marley has suffered severe blistering all over his body, along with numerous other harsh side effects – and his battle rages on this Christmas.

Shaunna said: "The hospital and its charity have done so much to make the hospital feel like home. There's decorations across the wards, a grotto for patients, and we've had special visitors including Santa and local football clubs. It's made the world of difference for Marley and I'm so grateful."

Annie Eytle, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, said: "We're on a mission to make Christmas as magical as possible for our patients, especially those like Marley, who are too poorly to be at home where they want to be.

"It's only thanks to the support of the public and our incredible donors that we're able to spread so much festive cheer and make our hospital feel like a festive home for our brave patients and families."

Those wishing to contribute to Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity's Christmas Appeal can do so by visiting bch.org.uk/christmas.