‘Our little lion’: Grief as Chester (2) passes away following brave battle with leukemia

Chester was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a rapidly progressing blood and bone marrow cancer that affects the immune system and blood cells.

A fundraising effort, ‘Chester’s Chance’, was launched with almost £18,000 raised so far for the Children's Cancer Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

A post on the ‘Chester’s Chance’ Facebook page said it was “with broken hearts” that they shared “the devastating news that the beautiful Chester passed away last night [Saturday]”.

They added: “He is now an angel in heaven.

"We are eternally grateful to the staff who cared for us as a family on the Haematology Ward, the consultants, doctors, and surgeons who worked with Chester in his final hour, the Children’s Cancer Unit, and to everyone who has sent kind words of support.”

And they vowed to “continue to drive forward Chester’s legacy — and it will live on through him”.

The post asked people to keep his parents Emma and David and older brother Reuben in their thoughts and prayers as they face the unimaginable and asked that their privacy is respected.

“Forever loved, forever missed. Chester, our little lion,” the post added.

A funeral notice added that his parents will continue his legacy through the ‘Chester’s Chance’ social media campaign to share his story, raise awareness and support the Children’s Cancer Unit charity.

"Though our hearts are broken, our mission is clear. Chester’s bravery and spirit will guide us as we work to help other children and families facing the unimaginable,” it added.

"We love you to the moon and back forever, our Chester-Roonies.”

Emma spoke to the Newry Reporter just two weeks ago about the campaign. She called on parents to trust their instincts when it comes to their children’s health.

Her initial concerns about Chester’s health fell on deaf ears with several medical professionals. Once Chester’s condition continued to deteriorate, she finally received the diagnosis

“To me, there is a massive breakdown in communication between GPs and the public in general, but especially, I believe, in young families. There has to be an accountability taken somewhere,” she said.

“You're always going to be your own child's advocate. But to really have to dig your heels into the ground and push and push and push, and be worked against when you're meant to be working together, it's like you're fighting a losing battle sometimes.

“The people that are meant to be there to help are nearly going against you.”

His funeral will take place on Wednesday morning at St Joseph’s Church, Meigh followed by cremation in Lakelands Crematorium in County Cavan.