When toddler Dominic Halliwell beat the odds and triumphed over cancer he was gifted with something special – a heartfelt letter from his adoring supporter and big brother Zach.
Zach, 8 was so delighted his three-year-old brother managed to overcome the rare childhood cancer that threatened to take his life he penned a touching note telling him how happy he was to still have him around.
“I’m so pleased that you survived having cancer,” read the letter from Zach to Dominic.
“We were all very worried when you went into hospital.
“I’m very proud of you when you are brave having tests at the hospital.
“I know that you are sometimes scared.
“I would not like to have needles stuck in me like you have to.”
Dominic, who has finally come home to live with his brother and parents, Chris and Natalie at their home in Gateshead, England, was just 10 weeks old when he became ill.
Doctors discovered a disseminated leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumour – a rare condition where tumours formed on his brain, spinal cord and central nervous system.
Dominic spent five months undergoing gruelling chemotherapy treatment at Newcastle’s Great North Children’s Hospital and his parents are so relieved to have him home and in the all clear after years of worry.
Following his recovery mum Natalie, 43, told the UK’s Chronicle Live: “From the outside, Dominic looks like any other little boy.”
“He is doing well and, as far as we are aware, the cancer he had has gone.
“But because his condition is so unique, the future remains unclear and we don’t know for sure what is going to happen.”
The parents are sharing the letter between their children in a bid to show the importance of sibling support for sick kids, and to promote charity The Rainbow Trust – which helped the family while Dominic was ill.
Zach sums up the family’s elation about Dominic’s good health when he writes to his brother: “I think you are the best little brother in the world.
“Without you I would have no-one to fight with and life would be very boring.
“I love you Dominic. You’re the best.”
You can read Zach’s whole letter to his brother here.
