Jenson Wright gets cancer all-clear after five years

Jenson Wright, from Penketh, was diagnosed with lymphoma and leukaemia in November 2013 when he was aged just four.

More than five years later, he has finally been given the all-clear by doctors.

Given the news on Friday, February 1, it was the perfect early birthday present for the Penketh South Primary School pupil - who turns 10 next week.

Mum Carolyn said: “It came completely out the blue, it was a complete shock.

“It was quite emotional when they said it, because you never expect to hear those words when you’ve been going through so much.

Jenson and mum Carolyn

“Jenson took it in his stride to be honest - he was quite blase about it really.

“I don’t think the severity of the illness he had has ever really hit him.

“We’re quite fortunate because he was so young at the time he was diagnosed, so he didn’t really understand it like an adult would.”

Five years of treatment for Jenson included a cutting-edge stem cell transplant using a donated umbilical cord, back in late 2016.

It is hoped that there will be minimal side effects from the youngster’s ordeal.

Carolyn said: “The early stages of the treatment were quite hard to comprehend, and quite difficult for us emotionally.

Jenson and dad Steve

“Without the transplant we would be in a completely different situation - that saved him.

“Jenson really has gone from strength to strength ever since.

“We will never get to find out who the donor was, but by donating it they’ve given life to somebody else.

“In the last two years, we’ve managed to get our lives back to some normality.”

Jenson, Carolyn, dad Steve and 18-year-old older brother Lewis had a family meal on Friday evening to celebrate receiving the news that the youngsters is now free from cancer.

Jenson with brother Lewis, mum Carolyn and dad Steve

Carolyn added: “It’s always in the back of your mind, wondering what the tests they’re doing are going to find.

“That’s why it was such a shock when they said he was cured, and that they didn’t want to see him again - it’s a bit surreal really.

“He can just be like any other child again now.

“He’s actually got different DNA now because of the stem cell transplant - he’s basically reborn again.

“Now it’s just a case of getting our heads around the fact that this part of our lives is over, and hopefully we won’t have to revisit it again.

“We can just enjoy our future.”