Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood. The disease causes an uncontrolled increase in the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow – the cells that defend our bodies from infection. This flood of ineffective and immature cells into the bloodstream causes a major imbalance in the blood and leads to a number of serious complications
in the body.

• The immune system is dramatically weakened – this leaves the body open to attack from potentially lethal infections.

• There is a shortage of red blood cells – this leads to fatigue and anaemia and means that the body is susceptible to severe bleeding due to the blood’s inability to clot properly.

There are currently over 400 new cases of leukaemia in children a year. The disease accounts for almost half the cases of childhood cancer in the UK. Childhood leukaemia is recognised as a major issue for global child health that needs to be urgently addressed.