Brave Dylan won’t let cancer stop his love of Pokémon
For avid Pokémon fan Dylan Jeffs from Cradley Heath, the trading card game has been more than a hobby, but a source of comfort during his cancer treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH).
Diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just two-years-old, the youngster now aged seven has been in hospital for most of his childhood.
Opening booster packs on the ward brightened up days of demanding chemotherapy treatment and allowed him to reconnect with friends he couldn’t see while in isolation.
Mum, Rachael Jeffs, a social worker, told us Dylan had always been poorly, even as a baby.
She shared: “He was constantly getting ill and we were always calling the doctors, so we knew something wasn’t right. During one of his bouts of sickness we called 111 and they asked us to check for a rash and that’s when we first saw one had started to form.”
An ambulance was sent to their home and Dylan was rushed to BCH.
Rachael said: “They were honest and upfront with us and told us they were testing for leukaemia. My heart sank as I knew in my bones that’s exactly what Dylan had, all his symptoms pointed to it.”
Rachael and husband Russell were soon given the devastating diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow and admitted to the hospital’s specialist cancer centre.
She recalled: “It was such a traumatic time. Dylan was only little and didn’t fully understand what was going on. However, the skills and the kindness of staff really reassured us. They became really close to Dylan and cared for him with such compassion.”
Dylan had a long, brave journey ahead of him. He was treated at the hospital for over three years and finally rang his end of treatment bell in April 2024.
Unfortunately, a few months after being discharged, Dylan became unwell again.
Rachael explained: “We knew there was a minimal chance of relapse but that fear never leaves you and I was always watching over Dylan for any changes.
“I noticed he was a bit more tired than usual and just wanted to watch TV instead of playing. They were small things, but unfortunately my instinct was correct and Dylan’s cancer had come back.”
Dylan needed a stem cell transplant. As his parents were not an ideal match, a search began and luckily a cord blood donor - which is found in the placenta and umbilical cord after birth - was found.
Rachael shared: “We are so grateful that Dylan was given this chance and though the operation and recovery has been really tough, he has come a long way.”
She added: “The transplant has gone well but it’s been hard for Dylan to go back to school having missed so much. However, Pokémon cards have helped him reconnect with his friends.
“We were often buying packs for Dylan to open in hospital as it gave him something to look forward. His uncle even brought him some special cards from Japan to say well done after his transplant.”
Dylan still visits the hospital for regular check-ups but has made brilliant progress. He is now back at school full time, trading Pokémon cards and trying to catch ‘em all in the playground.
Rachael shared: “We wouldn’t be where we are today if not for our family who looked after our daughter Mia, cooked for us and brought Dylan special treats in hospital.
“I also want to say a heartfelt thank you to the staff, not just the consultants and surgeons but the nurses, the catering staff and the receptionists who have grown up with Dylan and Mia and have made the Children’s Hospital our second home.
“Each and every single one will forever have a special place in my heart.”
Dr Divij Sachdeva, Clinical Fellow for Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant, said: “Dylan has been through some tough times but throughout it all he was so tenacious and brave. He always had a smile on his face.
“Having a hobby like collecting Pokémon cards can help children manage difficult journeys. It gives them a distraction from the monotony of hospital life and something to look forward to.
“Hobbies like this can also be a brilliant tool of communication and help break the ice between a doctor and a young patient.
“I was an avid Pokémon fan as a kid and I loved chatting to Dylan about Charizard, Pikachu, Squirtle and all our favourite Pokémon.”
