A three-year-old boy was diagnosed with leukaemia after his symptoms were initially dismissed by his parents, who thought he had picked up a winter bug at nursery. Manraj Singh Hans, who suffered regular colds and high temperatures, was eventually diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in February 2023.
Symptoms Initially Dismissed
Manraj's parents, Narinder, 47, and Parm, 42, believed their son was tired and unable to shake off the illness 'because it was winter'. They took him to the doctors, where they were told he most likely had an infection and were sent home. His symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by healthcare professionals before the diagnosis.
Narinder said: "We'd give him Calpol and they [the symptoms] would go away, but then come back a week or so later and go on a little bit longer. We just thought, 'It's the winter season, we're going to be getting colds and bugs'. He was at nursery, too, so we thought he was picking stuff up there."
The family took Manraj to the GP, where they were told he could potentially have a urine infection and were given antibiotics, which did not help. Parm also took him to the hospital because he was complaining that his legs were hurting. They were told it could be related to the urine infection or another infection and were sent home.
Blood in Nappy Led to Diagnosis
Narinder took things more seriously when he discovered a speck of blood in Manraj's nappy. They booked another GP appointment for the same afternoon. By then, Manraj was also walking with a limp. The GP told them to go straight to A&E for a blood test.
Manraj's ALL diagnosis in February 2023 made him one of around 400 children in the UK affected by the condition each year. Symptoms include feeling weak or tired, shortness of breath, pale skin, a high temperature or fever, picking up or not being able to shake off infections easily, as well as bruising and bleeding easily.
Narinder recalled: "I remember the hospital being very busy and we waited around for a long time, still making plans for the next day, for one of his best friends to come over for a sleepover. We thought we'd be out of there soon, but then the night doctor came on and said we'd have to wait overnight."
The next morning, a doctor told them: "I'm sorry to be the bearer of the bad news, but your son has leukaemia." Within a few hours, Manraj was transferred from Bedford Hospital to Addenbrookes in Cambridge. The family did not have a night bag with them, as they had not expected to stay.
Treatment and Recovery
Manraj underwent two years of treatment, including intensive chemotherapy, steroids, and lumbar punctures. He suffered a number of side effects and complications, including a seizure caused by one of the drugs he was on.
Narinder said: "Once he started taking some of the steroids and chemo, you could see a change in his energy. He was sleeping a lot; he lost his appetite as well. He lost all the strength in his legs, too, they just couldn't move for very long. Even now, he still struggles on long walks."
Manraj, now seven, is cancer-free and has been in remission since March 2025. He is being monitored with regular follow-up appointments. He has raised £7,000 for the CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer Association.
Narinder said: "Manraj has really driven it all and made us stick to our promise of raising money each September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The fundraising is something we'll continue to do as it's really important to us, and the awareness side, too."
He added: "He's getting back into activities that he enjoyed doing before [cancer treatment]. He's been getting on with his swimming and been playing football in a team regularly as well. He's not quite at the same pace as everyone else, but he never gives up."
