A mother has told how she realised her young son had leukaemia after reading a book about a child with the condition and the same symptoms.

Joanne Morris suspected her son Alexander was sick when she noticed he was feeling exhausted and bruising easily on a family holiday aged just four in summer 2009.

She immediately took him to the GP because she remembered reading a book a decade before about a youngster who had bruised easily and had leukaemia.

And her worst fears were confirmed when he was referred to Rochdale Infirmary for tests and just hours later was given the devastating news he had some form of leukaemia.

He was due to join the reception class at Bury Grammar School with his twin sister Annabel that autumn but instead missed the first term because he spent so much time in hospital.

Alexander, now six, will continue to receive treatment until November 2012 but is back in the classroom and enjoying school.

He has coped so well that his headteacher Hilary Hutton has nominated him for a Cancer Research UK Little Star award, acknowledging the challenges faced by youngsters who encounter cancer.

She said: “The news that Alexander was not joining the class and was in hospital being treated for leukaemia came as a big shock to everyone.

“Alexander has been an inspiration to us all. he never complains or expects to be treated differently.”

Alexander’s mum Joanne, 39, and dad Christian, 39, praised their son’s bravery.

Joanne added: “I just knew that Alexander had leukaemia as I remembered reading a book about a child who bruised easily. So, even though the news was a huge blow to the family, it didn’t feel that much of a shock. Alexander was too ill initially to ask us any questions about what was wrong with him, but he now understands that he has ‘poorly blood’ and needs to go to hospital every two weeks.

“He absolutely loves all the staff at the hospital and actually enjoys going there as it’s been such a huge part of his life up to now.”

The awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, are open to all under 18s who have cancer or have undergone treatment in the last five years.

To nominate a child visit cancerresearchuk.org/littlestar .

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