Sophie Robertson, then 12, began suffering persistent headaches and developed a rash in November 2025. Her parents, Cheryl and Stephen, took her to multiple doctor appointments, but were told she likely had Covid or an ear infection and sent home. It was only when Sophie's symptoms worsened that her mother demanded a blood test, which led to a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
Mother's Persistence Led to Diagnosis
Cheryl Robertson said: "I knew to keep pushing, because kids bounce back. We were three weeks down the line and there was no bouncing back. Her head was sore, her neck was sore, she had a rash all over her body. She couldn't keep food down, and it wasn't going away." The family spent most of the next seven months at Edinburgh's Sick Kids Hospital while Sophie underwent gruelling chemotherapy.
Treatment and Dark Days
Cheryl described the experience as a rollercoaster. "There were some really dark days – one where she bled so bad for four hours they had to bring a team from St John's to stop it." Despite this, she praised NHS staff: "The care that Sophie got was second-to-none, we couldn't have asked for more." Conor, the youth worker at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit in Edinburgh, ensured Sophie had activities during treatment. The snug and designated rooms for teens made a huge difference.
Sophie's Resilience
Sophie maintained a positive attitude. Cheryl said: "At first she panicked, but after that she was better than any of us. We'd be crying and she'd be like 'what are you crying for, this is just part of the process and we need to get through it'." Sophie rang the bell a few weeks ago after completing treatment. She will return to school after the summer holidays but won't be full-time until around Christmas. She is enjoying going out with friends and has resumed dancing.
Sister's Fundraising
Sophie's eight-year-old sister Bonnie cycled 50 miles alongside friends Ellen and Harper to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust. They raised over £3,000 for the charity 'in solidarity' with Sophie's journey.
