Parents urged to trust their instincts over cancer

22 December 2025

Oprah Flashand

Stewart Kingscott,West Midlands

News image — Frank was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer in June 2020 after developing a limp

Emma Cleal A boy in a light-coloured hoody with a dark stripe on the arms and shoulders is sitting on a sofa and hugging a dog. The boy is smiling and looking at the camera — Frank was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer in June 2020 after developing a limp

A charity has launched a campaign to raise awareness about how to spot the early signs of cancer in children.

At the age of 11, football enthusiast Frank, from Herefordshire, developed a limp, which his family initially thought was normal. He was later diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, and died aged 13 in June 2021.

"I had zero knowledge of childhood cancer," his mother Emma Cleal said. "There was no family history, no reason to suspect anything serious. We were just an average family."

She has backed a campaign by the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust which urges concerned parents to trust their instincts and take their child to the GP.

Emma Cleal A woman in a pink and purple chequered coat and a man in a dark beige puffer coat are being hugged by a boy in the middle of them who is smiling and wearing a black coat — Emma Cleal is supporting Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust's campaign

"There was no precursor to it being something more serious as it seemed completely normal but it got worse.

"An unexplained lump or unusual bruising should be checked. If one person takes their child to the GP a month earlier than they would otherwise it will make a big difference."

The signs to look out for include:

the child becoming pale or very tired
pain that does not go away or keeps coming back
the appearance of a lump or swelling
unusual bruising or bleeding with no injury
changes in their vision or a new squint

Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust a woman in a white top is smiling and holding a young young who is wearing a blue dress with white flowers and a white cardigan — The trust was set up in Grace Kelly's name following her death in November 2014

The You Know Them Best campaign aims to primarily raise awareness among families across the West Midlands, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. To date the trust has supported more than 500 families in these areas.

Founded in memory of four-year-old Grace Elizabeth Kelly, who died in 2014, the Worcestershire-based charity works to improve early diagnosis and treatment for children with cancer.

Dr Jen Kelly, Grace's mum, said: "Research shows that awareness of childhood cancer signs and symptoms is far lower than for adult cancers, and we urgently need to change this.

"By taking a few moments to understand what to look for, parents and carers can spot potential warning signs early, and prompt diagnosis can help make childhood cancer more treatable."

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