Scots boy diagnosed with leukaemia after routine dental checkup

Kaylan Hampson was just 3 when a dentist noticed there was something seriously wrong during a check-up in 2019.

A Scots schoolboy was given a devastating cancer diagnosis after attending a routine dental checkup.

Kaylan Hampson, now eight, was just three-years-old when he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2019. The then-tot was rushed to the Children's Hospital in Edinburgh after dentists spotted an abnormality during a routine appointment.

Recalling the horror moment his son was diagnosed with the disease, Kaylan's dad, Martin, 25, said: "It's a diagnosis I wouldn’t wish on any child. I remember looking at him as he slept, thinking 'I wish I could be ill instead of you.' It was a complete shock. That same day, he was transferred to the children's hospital for further tests. They confirmed our worst fear - he had leukaemia."

Kaylan, from Kirkcaldy in Fife, underwent a series of gruelling procedures including a bone marrow biopsy, a lumbar puncture and surgery to insert a port in his chest as he struggled with a feeding tube. Over the years, the brave youngster missed a lot of school time and had to give up playing football.

More than a year into his treatment, his hair fell out.

Martin, who served in the army and now works at a recycling power plant, said: "It's like we lived a completely different life. Everything stopped. Every cough, every cold became an alarm. The slightest change in temperature could mean a two-day hospital stay.

"At one point, he was in critical care because they thought he might have sepsis, and I truly thought I might lose him. There were times in hospital when he couldn’t even leave his room, not even to step into the corridor or have a wander around the garden."

Despite the dark days of treatment, Kaylan received lots of support from hospital staff and Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity (ECHS). Dad Martin told how the charity was always there to put a smile on his son's face.

As reported in our sister title, Edinburgh Live, he said: "Thankfully, Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity was there to bring joy and cheer him up. Musicians came and played guitar for him, and we did loads of activities like face painting, right by his bedside. On the toughest days, those small moments made all the difference. It was such a relief to see him smile."

After three long years, Kaylan finally rang the bell aged seven - signalling the end of his cancer treatment.

Martin said: "It was a very special day. All the staff cheered for him. His school even held a special assembly, so he got to celebrate the end of his treatment there as well."

Though Kaylan only needs to come into hospital every six months now, Martin remains dedicated to fundraising for ECHC.

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He added: "I want to give back for all the support we received while Kaylan was in and out of hospital. It's my way of saying thank you to everyone who helped us. This year, I'm supporting the charity through a boxing event."

After eight weeks of gruelling training, Martin will take part in a fundraising boxing match in Dunfermline through UWCB Charity Boxing. His big fight night will be at the Glen Pavilion on 24 November, and whoever raises the most money will win a trophy.

You can support Martin by donating to his JustGiving page here, as well as support the vital work carried out on a daily basis by the ECHC here.

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