Jo’s story: “After every storm comes a rainbow – that's how I look at Latch”

Jo Williams lives with her daughters Ellina who is 13, Shantia, 12, Chairisee, 11, and Molly, nine, and partner Frank, in Seven Sisters, near Neath. Her youngest daughter, Sharelle, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in April 2020, at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic when she was three years old. After two years of intense treatment, she went in to remission but then developed another type of leukaemia – acute myeloid leukaemia – in March 2024. Very sadly, after aggressive treatment, Sharelle died in February 2025 just after her eighth birthday. Jo shares how the family have been supported by Latch throughout Sharelle’s treatment, including with bereavement support. 

“It was a quick decision and the best we've made. Our Latch Worker, Hayley, called and asked if we wanted to go on a last minute family holiday to the Bluestone National Park Resort. We hadn’t been on a family holiday for years. Sharelle would always be admitted to hospital when we tried.

We always include Sharelle in what we do and, thanks to Latch, all the girls packed her teddy bear in their bag when we went to Bluestone. Latch gave us vouchers for the Build-a-Bear shop and we used them to make special bears in Sharelle‘s memory. They've all got Sharelle’s voice inside them. She tells the girls that she loves them and to have a good day. 

It was peaceful at Bluestone and made the world of difference. After that, we booked to go to the Latch caravan in Trecco Bay in Porthcawl, which was lovely. To not have to worry about the expense and have these things provided is amazing. For the children and families who have gone through so much trauma and so many medical procedures and complications, you can never put a price on happiness or quality time.

When you donate to Latch, it pays for these kind of experiences for families like mine. They are truly remarkable and it’s important that people keep donating so that they can help families affected by childhood cancer. Latch are there to help with financial, emotional and practical support. Whether it’s paying bills, preparing for Job Centre appointments, making someone a cup of tea on the ward or just asking how they are. They understand childhood cancer. 

Getting diagnosed 

From the day Sharelle was diagnosed when she was three years old, I’ve had to be a mum, nurse and doctor. 

On 8 April 2020, Sharelle woke up with a nosebleed that wouldn't stop which prompted an emergency call for an ambulance. They turned up within 15 minutes which was quick considering the response time during the Covid-19 pandemic. We were taken to the children’s A&E in Swansea. Sharelle’s blood pressure was low, her heart rate was really high and she had a fever.

When they said they wanted to talk to us somewhere quiet, instantly my heart dropped in my stomach. The doctor told us that one of the blood tests showed that Sharelle’s neutrophils [a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the immune system] were zero and her platelets [cells that help with blood clotting] were low and that they only tend to see levels like that in someone with cancer. 

Latch Worker 

Sharelle began two years of treatment the same week she was diagnosed, starting with eight weeks of intense chemotherapy. She lost a lot of weight, had horrible sickness and got sores in her mouth, which made it really difficult to drink and eat. 

Our world for two years was Sharelle’s treatment which included chemotherapy intravenously, via a lumbar puncture and orally. 

We were assigned a Latch Worker, Rachel, two days after being admitted to the hospital. She explained what support Latch offered and showed me round their hospital accommodation which is just above the Rainbow Ward. She made me feel emotionally lifted. When you're told your child has cancer, the whole world around you stops. When your Latch Worker comes in and asks if you want a chat, to go for a walk or to get some fresh air, you feel more normal. They give you emotional support and survival skills. That’s important because if parents and carers don't look after ourselves, how can we look after our children? 

Rachel helped us with filling in the Disability Living Allowance and Carer’s Allowance forms. She also helped us access Latch grants and with paying household bills.

Remission and developing a secondary cancer 

In 2022, we had the amazing news that Sharelle was in remission. She was able to go back to being a child, having ice cream from a machine, going to the beach, swimming, seeing her friends and doing a few hours at school. 

But she never fully recovered. We were always on the edge of our seat. She’d develop a fever or have a seizure. We could never put our hands on what was causing so many ongoing symptoms.

Then on 15 March 2024, my 30^th birthday, we found out that Sharelle had developed a secondary cancer, acute myeloid leukaemia. I’d noticed that she was losing weight, had a constant cough, was tired all the time, had bone pain, was getting reoccurring fevers and bruising and bleeding easily. 

My world shattered. If it was a relapse, we would know what we were dealing with but I had no experience with the treatment plan with this type of cancer. Sharelle needed to have three months of chemotherapy that she hadn’t had before and it was very aggressive. She’d go from being okay, singing on the karaoke machine and playing tricks on the doctors and nurses, to being bed bound for days, not being able to move, having mucositis [inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the mouth and windpipe], constant diarrhoea, vomiting and skin sores. It was heartbreaking to watch.

I felt comfortable staying in the Latch hospital accommodation because Sharelle would be one floor down. I could go there, put some washing in and know Sharelle was close by if anything should happen. It felt homely. Sharelle’s sisters would stay sometimes so we were able to do things like a normal family. 

Treatment away from home

In June 2024, we had to go to Sheffield for Sharelle to have a bone marrow transplant. Her sister, Shantia, who was 10, was a 100% match and wanted to donate her stem cells. We ended up being there for six months because the chemotherapy was very aggressive and Sharelle developed graft versus host disease [where the donor's immune cells attack the recipient's body].

Rachel phoned and checked in all the time. She checked in at home with my other children and Frank too. Latch were always there. The support was phenomenal, because even if you don't ask for it, you get it anyway. Even if you don't text or reach out yourself, they'll always phone or text and ask how you are. 

We travelled back up to Sheffield to treat her graft versus host disease every fortnight because you can’t have the treatment – Extracorporeal Photopheresis – in Wales. Latch booked hospital transport for us and helped with expenses while we were there which was so helpful. We’d also stay in the Latch hospital accommodation before we went to Sheffield as it was easier to travel from Cardiff. It took time off the long journey.

At the Latch Christmas party, our girls chose Hayley to be their new Latch Worker as they loved her instantly. Rachel was sadly leaving Latch and we said to Hayley, ‘If you want to take us on, we'd be happy to have you’. 

Making memories 

My whole world stopped soon after we met Hayley on 24 January 2025 when we got the news that Sharelle had relapsed and there were no more treatment options. She’d had her bloods done after being under the weather but we weren’t expecting to hear this news. She’d gone through so much and then for this to happen was heartbreaking.

Sharelle passed away at home three weeks later, on 24 February 2025. It was a lot to take in that it happened so fast at the end. We've always pushed to make sure we get every treatment that's available. That’s the hardest part when there's no more. But, sometimes, as a parent, you have to look at your child and ask yourself: ‘Who are you doing it for?’ Because she's hurting, you're hurting. There are no more options. And if you waste time looking for options when time is already limited, you're losing time to make memories.

Bereavement support

Hayley has been supporting us since Sharelle passed away. She came to the funeral and checks in on us to ask how we are with texts, calls and visits. She organised a Latch grant for Sharelle’s funeral. I cannot thank them enough for that, as funerals are very expensive and you never expect to bury your child.

We go to the Latch groups for bereaved parents, carers and siblings. They do activities, family days out, get-togethers and pizza making events. The kids really enjoy it and meet other children who are from bereaved families. It helps because we're all bereaved, so we can sit and tell our story as many times as we want because we all understand. We all want our children to be remembered and in sharing Sharelle’s story, it’s keeping her legacy alive. We all understand each other's pain as we have walked a similar journey.

It’s good that there are targeted groups for children and teenagers. A lot of the time, when a child is diagnosed with cancer, siblings feel overlooked. It can feel like, ‘Hello, where am I?’ Latch can help with referrals to the psychology team for children who are struggling. 

Future hopes 

I’d like to be an ambassador for Latch as I really want to give back. When the time is right, I'd like to do a charity event. Sharelle always wanted to do something called ‘Rainbow has got talent’. I’d like to do that in the summer with stalls, games and prizes. I’d also like to support other parents and carers with coffee mornings and support groups.

A lot of the treatment our children are having is meant for adults and it is very harsh. I hope that with more funding and research, we find different treatments so children don't have to suffer extensive side effects. 

My hope is for people to keep supporting Latch. Latch push for better futures for childhood cancer. They take away a family's fears, their financial burdens, isolation and mental health challenges. Behind Latch are families just like mine and we've all got stories to tell.”