AN Emmerdale couple are left devastated after their baby is diagnosed with Leukaemia in heartbreaking spoilers.
It was revealed earlier this month that the ITV would be exploring another health-based storyline involving Billy and Dawn Fletcher.
The couple welcomed son Evan just before Christmas, but in upcoming scenes they will be left devastated when their baby boy is diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
The story begins after Dawn spots a new bruise on Evan’s leg and telephones the surgery.
Dr Liam immediately recommends taking Evan straight to A&E, where a paediatrician examines him and asks to complete blood tests.
Anxious they will be accused of hurting Evan, his parents are fearful, but the paediatrician returns to explain he is a very sick baby.
Having seen the blood test results, the paediatrician asks to take an urgent bone marrow biopsy as he has low haemoglobin and platelet levels so more tests are required.
Dawn and Billy see their world imploding and are left reeling, while Dawn is advised not to feed Evan as he is nil by mouth until he’s had the biopsy – leading her to struggle to soothe him.
Billy returns home choked up as he explains it could be an infection, autoimmune disease or even something like Leukaemia.
Dawn’s dad Will and wife Kim rush to the hospital but are halted when they become caught up on a lane due to the stalemate road feud between Ruby and Moira.
Will finally arrives at the hospital as Evan is ready to be taken for his biopsy and he tries to comfort Dawn.
But the next day, the doctor confirms the results of the bone marrow biopsy show Evan has a form of Leukaemia.
Kim and Will watch Dawn buckle from outside the room as their worst fears are confirmed.
The episodes have been produced with the support of the charity Leukaemia Care, who are working closely with the Emmerdale production team on the storyline to ensure a realistic and authentic depiction.
Colin Dyer, CEO at Leukaemia Care commented: “Every year 10,000 people are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK.
“A leukaemia diagnosis can affect not just the patient, but also their loved ones such as friends and family.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer.
It starts from white blood cells called lymphocytes in the bone marrow.
Anyone can get it, but it is most common in younger people, especially children aged four and under.
Symptoms often mimic other conditions, but kids might experience:
Some patients will also get a rash that looks like tiny red, purple or brown dots that don’t turn white when pressed.
Almost 90 per cent of children under 15 with ALL will survive for five years or more after being diagnosed.
Source: Cancer Research UK
“The Baby Evan storyline being featured on Emmerdale, is helping to deliver a very important message not just about the awareness of the symptoms and the condition, but about how it affects the family and those around them.”
Actress Olivia Bromley, who plays Dawn, said: “This is an incredibly challenging and heartbreaking story, but such an important story for Emmerdale to tell.
“I’ve learnt so much since working with Leukaemia Care and speaking to parents whose children have been diagnosed, and we want to not only raise awareness but to do justice to the experience of families who are blindsided by a diagnosis like this.”
She continued: “For Dawn and Billy, like many parents, Evan’s diagnosis turns their world upside down so unexpectedly.
“It’s been inspiring to hear the stories of strength, resilience and also to hear of the incredible NHS staff who do such invaluable work when parents’ are at their lowest, so I hope we can also reflect this as we approach this storyline.”
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Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
