Television personality and podcast host Gyles Brandreth has spoken candidly about the profound impact of his grandson's childhood cancer diagnosis, describing it as a "shock to the system" that challenged his preconceptions about the disease.
A Diagnosis That Defied Expectations
Brandreth revealed that his grandson Kitt was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue sarcoma, at just 15 months old in April 2017. The diagnosis came after Kitt's parents, Brandreth's daughter Saethryd and her Army veteran husband Mark, discovered a pea-shaped lump near his stomach during a routine nappy change.
"We think of cancer as something that happens to unlucky middle-aged people," Brandreth admitted. "You think of breast cancer or prostate cancer and older people, but you don't think of kids – well, we didn't. I think we didn't realise what a long journey it was going to be."
Initially, a GP suggested the lump was likely a cyst or hernia, but subsequent tests confirmed the rare cancer diagnosis. Rhabdomyosarcoma affects fewer than 60 children in the United Kingdom each year, making it an exceptionally uncommon childhood condition.
The Treatment Journey at Great Ormond Street
Kitt underwent extensive treatment at London's world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), where he received chemotherapy that led to hair loss and required multiple blood and platelet transfusions. His challenging medical journey was further complicated by a serious bacterial infection that affected both his heart and liver.
Despite the initial shock, Brandreth expressed immense confidence in the hospital's capabilities. "But I have to say the moment we heard Kitt was going to Great Ormond Street we felt reassured because of their world-class reputation," he explained. "There was the sense that whatever needed to be available would be available."
He described the entire experience as deeply emotional, praising the medical team's exceptional care. "It's a case of holding your breath, being patient and trusting in the team, and I have to say the team were matchless at every level, from the consultants right the way through to the nursing staff and everyone else. Everyone is there for you. It's very moving because you never feel alone."
Finding Normalcy Amid Medical Challenges
While Kitt's parents focused on his direct medical care, Brandreth embraced his role as "Grandpa, providing a sense of normality" during the difficult treatment period. He fondly recalled spending time with Kitt in the hospital's playroom, doing jigsaws, building structures together, and teaching him funny poems.
"What they do brilliantly at Great Ormond Street is remember that children are children so there was a wonderful playroom," Brandreth noted. "Kitt and I would do jigsaws, build things together – I'd build them up and he'd help knock them down, and I taught him funny poems."
During treatment, Kitt developed veno-occlusive disease, a life-threatening condition often caused by high-dose chemotherapy that obstructs small liver veins and can lead to multiple organ failure. This complication highlighted the slow pace of medical advancements in certain areas of childhood cancer treatment.
"It became clear to us that the science in this area takes a long time to develop," Brandreth observed. "You read things [about new treatments] in the paper and think this sounds exciting but when you speak to the doctors, they aren't available yet."
The Ongoing Need for Research and Support
Despite significant progress in some areas of paediatric oncology, including CAR T-cell therapy pioneered at GOSH, GOSH Charity emphasises that many childhood cancers are still treated with drugs originally developed in the 1970s. This underscores the critical need for kinder, more effective treatments specifically designed for children.
The charity provides essential support services for families facing childhood cancer, including:
- Free accommodation for families during treatment
- A multi-faith chaplaincy service
- A dedicated Play team to support children's emotional wellbeing
- Specialist psychological support for the whole family
A Hopeful Outcome and Continued Advocacy
Kitt, now 10 years old and living abroad with his parents and 19-year-old brother Rory, received the all-clear in November 2017, ringing the hospital's end-of-treatment bell in a moment of celebration. He has remained in remission for eight years and continues to have yearly check-ups at GOSH to monitor his health.
Brandreth is now lending his support to GOSH Charity's appeal to fund a world-leading Children's Cancer Centre, speaking out ahead of World Cancer Day to raise awareness about the unique challenges of childhood cancer and the importance of specialised research and treatment facilities.
The family's journey highlights both the resilience of children facing serious illness and the crucial role that specialised paediatric hospitals play in providing comprehensive care that addresses medical, emotional, and practical needs during challenging treatment journeys.
