A family from Warwick has raised over £8,000 through the power of social media to thank Birmingham Children’s Hospital for the cancer treatment they are providing their four-year-old daughter, Holly Davis. 

When Holly was three, she developed a stubborn cold, with vomiting and a temperature, which she just couldn’t shake. Despite various trips to the doctor's, Holly was still not recovering. With permission from the doctor, parents Paul and Sue decided to take Holly on holiday, hoping all the fun in the sun would be just the medicine she needed and cheer her up. Unfortunately, that was not the case, as whilst away she developed mumps-like symptoms. 

After arriving home from holiday, Holly then developed a rash and had trouble walking. With the symptoms mounting, her GP suspected they knew her diagnosis and advised Holly’s parents to take her to their local A&E. After some tests, and ten weeks after her first symptoms appeared, Paul and Sue received the heartbreaking news no parent wishes to hear - Holly had leukaemia. 

The family was in shock. In an instant their world came crashing down. They were told Holly would be transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for treatment, but first she would need two blood transfusions to ensure she was stable enough to be travel.  

Once at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Holly remained there for an initial two-months, with Holly’s younger sister Harriet born just one month later. Holly and her parents were told she had a long road of recovery ahead of her. She is currently 12 months into a 24-month treatment plan, has had chemotherapy and is now on maintenance.  

Having witnessed what Holly and many of the other children on the cancer ward are going through, the family was amazed at the work of doctors and nurses and how brilliantly they care for the patients. Paul states: “They are magnificent, they are here for you in your lowest and darkest moments. When something you have not invited into your lives is threatening to take the lives of our precious little ones, they jump to action. We felt completely cocooned in love.” 

Paul and Sue decided the only way to show their gratitude was to raise money for the hospital. So, Paul set himself on a mission to utilise the power of social media and tell Holly’s story. In a beautifully written and heart-wrenching post, Paul detailed the family’s journey and called on friends, family, and colleagues to donate. Paul set up a Just Giving page and sure enough, as Holly’s story spread, the donations rose, reaching an incredible £8,000. 

 Miranda Williams, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’re so thankful to the Davis family for so bravely and eloquently sharing their family’s journey. It’s important for people to know what our patients go through, and the family have channelled their fear and pain into fundraising for us, so that we can ensure our brilliant doctors and nurses have the best treatments at their disposal, to help save lives.”