Kit Roberts
A reality TV couple are raising awareness about the early warning signs of cancer after losing their infant daughter.
Carly Saunders and Tresne Middleton had first become known due to their stint on cooking show My Kitchen Rules, but became household names following their experiences with IVF treatment.
Finally, the couple welcomed daughter Poppy Grace on 2 June 2021. But tragically a bruise on Poppy's thigh turned out to be a lot more serious than it first appeared.
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Poppy was diagnosed with infantile acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a form of cancer which affects the blood and bone marrow.
Despite struggling against the condition, Poppy died in February only four months before her second birthday.
Her mums are now looking to raise awareness of the warning signs of cancer in infants after their horrific loss.
Middleton told 7News: “We noticed her belly was starting to get enlarged. So, it was a little bit distended. And when she was feeding, she would have quite large vomits."
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Saunders said: "Looking back, we think, how did we not notice she was so pale, but because it happened so gradually, we had no idea."
The pair had been trying to have a child together since 2012, and were heartbroken after their little girl became so ill.
Saunders said: "We’d been trying since 2012 to have a baby and then she was our little miracle. Every day was a battle.”
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She added: “We didn’t really believe it at first because it’d been such a long journey to even have Poppy."
The family even agreed for Poppy to participate in clinical trials, which prolonged her life by eight months giving them more precious time together.
Following her tragic passing, her mums posted a tribute to their daughter online, writing: "Poppy showed us what it is to be grateful and happy with whatever cards you are dealt. She made the most of her time on earth, dancing, giggling and smiling right until days from the end. She was loving and funny and nurturing.
"She was clever and empathetic. She had a heart of gold and she shone so brightly, oozing joy. We felt honoured to be her mums and we didn’t take a second of that for granted, not a second. She taught us so very much in her short 20 months and we have never experienced a love as all encompassing."
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The couple are now working to raise as much awareness as they can around the early warning signs of cancer in infants.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week