My brave son was just a baby when he got leukaemia over Christmas – have fun making a card to help other kids this year
HUNDREDS of children with cancer will be in hospital this Christmas – and here’s YOUR chance to give them a gift that will brighten their day.
We want our readers’ children of all ages to draw festive pictures – and the best three will be used to make limited edition Christmas cards to be sold through our charity partner The Entertainer. The proceeds go to gifts for seriously ill boys and girls.
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The children who receive the gifts you support will be just like Frankie Saunders, an infant when he was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia during the 2016 holidays.
He underwent chemotherapy and is now an active, soccer-loving seven-year-old.
Frankie took part in our Children’s Christmas Cards competition and mum Jazzmyn, 31, said: “We know how difficult it is to get the worst news at Christmas, which is why we’re supporting this campaign.”
“The thought of a child painting a picture that brings a smile to another child they don’t even know is wonderful.”
Presenter Lisa Snowdon and chart-topper Paul Young also pledged their support last night.
Lisa says: “It’s a wonderful way for children to come together and do something incredible for each other.”
“Cancer has affected my family and I am right behind The Sun in Sunday’s campaign.”
Paul said: “This will enrich children’s lives and make Christmas better.”
“It’s a wonderful thing to be involved in.
“Get out your crayons, kids!”
Frankie was taken to hospital after mum Jazzmyn and dad James, 33, from Rickmansworth, Herts, noticed a pinprick-like rash on his body.
After Frankie’s cancer diagnosis, doctors told his parents that his only chance of survival was a bone marrow transplant.
Luckily, his big sister Skye, now 11, was a perfect match and donated bone marrow to her brother in May 2017.
The following Christmas he rang the bell at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital to mark the end of his treatment.
Frankie and his family have received support from our charity partner Children With Cancer UK.
Jazzmyn, also mum to two-year-old Millie, said: “We now look at every Christmas as a blessing as we always think about what could have been.”
“The Sun on Sunday’s Christmas card campaign is about children helping other children when they need it most, which is wonderful.
“And making cards is a lot of fun.”
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How to take part
DRAW a festive image in landscape or portrait format on A4 paper using a pencil or pen.
Email a photo of the image to sundayfeatures@the-sun.co.uk with the subject line CHRISTMAS before October 1st.
Include your name and your child’s name, address, telephone number, and a few words about why your child attended.
Enter your child’s age. There are three categories: children under five years old; six to ten; 11 to 16.
Keep your original artwork safe in case it is one of the winners and needs to be scanned for use.