Liliarna's family would like to share their on-going story, as she continues her brave fight against leukaemia.
Her father Mark has written the following, as they feel ready to do so and hopefully also raise awareness for others:
Liliarna was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in September 2022. She was 10 years old at the time and had a very healthy active lifestyle. Playing football was her passion training three times a week and having a match on Saturday. She trained and played matches with the U11 Kettering Town FC Girls team and had also got into Peterborough Girls Emerging Talent Centre. Her footballing future was looking exciting.
Playing football at break time at school and during the week with her team would often mean she had bruises on her legs. It wasn’t until we were on holiday that we noticed other bruising in different places. Once back from holiday Liliarna was feeling more tired than usual and had a bit of stomach ache. It was then we called the Dr’s to find out what was going on, as she was not feeling herself. The last thing we, or any parent wanted to consider is that our daughter has leukaemia. Blood test results confirmed the worst, which meant she was rushed to Leicester hospital and then QMC in Nottingham for treatment. We have been mainly based in Nottingham for 6 months as Liliarna has her treatment. The list of procedures and complications on top of the chemotherapy she has been through have been overwhelming. Everything she has been through; she has always tried to have a smile on her face, and she has never grumbled about her situation. Her love of football and all it has to offer has given her something to look forward to when she is well enough. She even managed to kick a ball about with the physiotherapists on the hospital roof garden.
Life was dramatically changed, Liliarna was an inpatient and has had only a few opportunities to come home. One of the first thing she wanted to do was to watch and support her U11 Kettering Town FC Girls football team.
The support she has received from her U11 Girls Kettering Town FC team has been amazing. We have had commentary and video footage of the matches sent to us by parents for us to watch in hospital. Luke, Phil and Josh have sent her a signed shirt and video message from players. U11’s coach Tom, his dad Alex and friends have put a GoFundMe page together to raise money for a special occasion for when Liliarna is well enough. This has meant that Liliarna importantly still has felt part of the team. The prospect of playing again and the incredible support from Kettering Town FC has, I am sure, encouraged her to mentally get better and provide something to look forward to. We are hoping for positive news in the coming months so that Liliarna can once again put on her boots and enjoy what every kid should be able to, play football.
