Childhood Cancer Awareness Month – Kiera's story

Kiera Hodges was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and a Philadelphia Positive Chromosome in January 2020 when she was just 15-years-old.  

Following her diagnosis, Kiera and her family spent much of the next two years at the Children’s Hospital for Wales. She received three intense stages of chemotherapy followed by maintenance sessions, underwent multiple surgeries and experienced difficult infections.  

Throughout her journey, Kiera always looked for silver linings and said her positive mindset really helped throughout her treatments. Speaking in June for Cancer Survivors Week, Kiera told us: “I would tell people to think about that moment as if it’s not going to last forever. That mindset was a big thing that got me through my treatment.” 

Kiera and her parents Andrea and Tim also received invaluable practical, emotional and financial support from LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity.  

The charity is based at the Children’s Hospital for Wales and supports hundreds of children, young people and their families across Wales who are being treated at the Oncology Unit every year. In partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, LATCH also supports the Oncology Unit through funding medical equipment and a range of clinical and research projects. 

To celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we caught up with Kiera and her mum Andrea.  

Last year, Kiera was given the brilliant news that she was in remission and now aged 18, she has recently completed a work placement with haematology at the University Hospital of Wales and is heading to Bath University later this month to start her biology degree.  

Speaking of the support they received, Andrea said: “When we first found out Kiera had cancer it was horrendous. She was extremely ill and it all just happened so quickly. Luckily, both of our employers were very good with giving us time off but we didn’t know where to start. All we could think about was ‘is Kiera going to be okay?’.  

“LATCH became involved very quickly and it was a huge help. We went into the hospital on the Wednesday and met Helen from LATCH on the Thursday. It was all very new to us, and we didn’t know what to expect but with their support, we were able to get a better understanding of what was happening quite quickly.  

“They sat down with us and talked through our finances and explained what grants we could apply for and what we needed to do practically — this hadn’t even crossed our mind. Helen also arranged a house inspection because we knew we would need to make adaptations for Kiera. The practical support was invaluable because it meant we were able to spend more time with Kiera.  

“They also gave Kiera an iPad which meant she was able to stay in touch with family and friends which was especially helpful as we went into lockdown quite soon after.” 

While Kiera was receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, Andrea and Tim were able to stay at the LATCH accommodation which is located on-site at the Children’s Hospital for Wales. The family were also able to visit LATCH’s caravan in Porthcawl free of charge for a well-deserved holiday by the sea.  

“The accommodation was so important for us as a family,” Andrea said. “Unfortunately, Kiera suffered a very nasty infection and was in PICU before she underwent a second surgery. It was a huge help to know we were nearby and supported. Even if we were just staying for the day, we were able to use the space to have a break from the hospital environment and process what was happening.  

“Once Kiera was feeling well enough, we were able to visit the LATCH caravan in Porthcawl. We didn’t want to be too far away from home so it was perfect for us and it was such a special time. We fell in love with Porthcawl thanks to LATCH and we’re actually planning to move there from Newport. 

“Seeing Kiera now is incredible. She went back to school just six weeks before her AS levels and this year she has passed her A levels. Now she’s getting ready to move to Bath for university.”  

After finishing her treatment in May 2022 – one year earlier than initially expected – Kiera will continue to undergo routine reviews at the Children’s Hospital for Wales for the next four years.  

“The team of Rocket Ward feel like family now,” Andrea said. “Rocket has always been amazing with Kiera and we feel really close with the team there. We have been through so many hard times together that now it feels like we’re dropping in to visit family. We really look forward to it, which I never expected. 

“We’re very, very grateful to everybody at LATCH for the invaluable support they gave us every step of the way and the teams on Rocket Ward.”  

For more information on LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity, please visit Home | LATCH Welsh Children's Cancer Charity (latchwales.org).