Dad's Warning After Son's Back Pain Led to Leukaemia Diagnosis in 24 Hours
Stephen McAlley has issued a heartfelt warning to parents after his son's seemingly ordinary symptoms of fatigue and back pain turned out to be leukaemia, diagnosed within just 24 hours of visiting their GP.
Initial Dismissal of Symptoms
The father-of-three admitted he initially dismissed his 12-year-old son Ollie's complaints as typical childhood moaning. "I told him to stop moaning," Stephen confessed, describing what he now calls the "stupid dad mentality" of telling his son to "man up" when the boy complained of tiredness and lower back pain during their Christmas 2024 holiday in New York.
It was only because of his wife Kirsty, a nurse, that Ollie was taken to see a doctor. "I certainly wouldn't have taken him if it wasn't for my wife," Stephen acknowledged, expressing regret about his initial response.
Rapid Progression to Diagnosis
After returning to the UK in January 2025, Ollie's symptoms persisted. The turning point came during a football game in February 2025 when another parent noticed how pale the boy looked. Kirsty immediately booked a GP appointment.
The junior doctor who saw Ollie trusted her instincts and consulted her supervisor, who recommended urgent tests. Within hours, the family was at Warrington Hospital where blood tests revealed alarming results.
By midnight, doctors confirmed Ollie's blast blood cells were "through the roof" and they were "pretty sure it was some form of leukaemia." The family was immediately referred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Devastating Diagnosis and Treatment
At Alder Hey, Ollie underwent his first round of chemotherapy and a bone marrow aspirate that confirmed the diagnosis: High-Risk Philadelphia Positive ALL, a form of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Stephen described the moment they received the news as "complete confusion, panic, and I was scared to death." He had to wake his two older children in the middle of the night to deliver the devastating news.
Remarkably, Ollie has shown incredible resilience throughout his "brutal" 25-month treatment plan, which has included multiple rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. While his cancer is currently at undetectable levels, he continues regular testing until April 2027 and may still require a stem cell transplant.
Personal Connection to Stem Cell Donation
The diagnosis has taken on additional significance for Stephen, who had previously donated stem cells twice through the Anthony Nolan charity about 15 years ago. "That person had two extra years with their family that they wouldn't have had," he said of the recipient who eventually passed away.
Now inspired by his son's journey, Stephen is running the London Marathon for Anthony Nolan on April 26 to raise awareness about stem cell donation. "We plan to get as many people on the stem cell registry as possible," he declared.
Urgent Message to Parents
Stephen's message to other parents is clear and urgent: "Take your kids to the GP. If you think there's something going on, take them." He emphasizes that what might seem like ordinary childhood complaints could signal something far more serious.
The family's experience serves as a powerful reminder that parental instincts should never be dismissed, and that early medical attention can be crucial in childhood cancer cases.
