A BRAVE Badsey boy who made the heart-breaking journey from Covid to cancer in just three months in 2021 was on hand to see his own blood sample being processed.
Joshua Asbury, 10, had a special visit to the blood laboratory at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital to see the process for himself.
It’s part of a scheme called ‘Harvey’s Gang’ to give some the county’s youngest cancer patients the chance to see what happens to their blood after it’s taken.
The brave youngster tested positive for Covid in September 2021 and isolated for 10 days.
Although he suffered many symptoms he was ready to return to normal life however never did he get back to his normal self.
He was later diagnosed with T cell lymphoblastic leukaemia lymphoma.
Joshua donned a lab coat for his visit and came away with a huge smile on his face after being shown around by Senior Biomedical Scientist, Emma Loxley.
Harvey’s Gang has been implemented in Worcestershire by Emma and Children’s Oncology Nurse Specialist, Dawn Forbes.
Following Joshua’s visit, health chiefs plan to give more children the chance to come and have a look around the lab very soon.
“My patients’ care is often based on their blood results – they may need a blood or platelet transfusion, they may need their doses of chemotherapy altering, or their chemotherapy may be delayed based on the results,” she said.
“So for these patients to see first-hand how their blood samples are analysed and to see what actually goes on behind the lab doors will help them understand this important aspect of their care.”
