Like most toddlers, two-year-old Zak was prone to random injuries – and stubbing his toe on the washing machine wasn’t any cause for alarm.

His mum Amina noticed the toe was pink and sore the next day, so she got some medical advice. There wasn’t too much cause for concern, until 48 hours later, Zak’s toe turned purple. The concerned mum took Zak to the pharmacy for advice, where she was told the toe was broken, and she should head to the emergency department.

It was the start of a nightmare.

Little Zak, who lives in the UK, was put on antibiotics, but there was no improvement in the toe. Amina went back to hospital with Zak, and was told the toe was infected. The toddler was kept overnight while the hospital ran tests.

When the results came back, the news was heartbreaking. Zak had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. His toe had turned black and he was rush to another hospital where he was admitted into intensive care, with concerns Zak may have a flesh eating disease.

Amina and her husband Suhaib were devastated and trying to make sense of everything that was happening. They were told their son could potentially lose his foot if the injury didn’t improve.

“Nothing was making sense to me, my head was just spinning,” Amina recalls. “It was a very scary time for us all. I felt like we were on an out of control rollercoaster. There were so many doctors and nurses in the room. Suddenly they were talking about putting a port in, to allow bloods to be taken.

“Luckily, a blood blister formed on the toe. They cut into the skin and black blood came pouring out.

“The doctors … kept saying ‘thank goodness for mothers’ instincts, because I kept pushing for him to be seen.”

Zak remained in hospital for a few weeks, as his parents learned what was ahead of them. They were taught how to insert a nasogastric tube.

“We thought it was something temporary and wondered why they were teaching us to do something that nurses would normally do,” Amina said. “Nobody told us that Zak would need it for his feeding and medicine on a daily basis.”

Once Zak went home, he continued on chemotherapy and steroids.

“The doses gradually intensified over a three-month period. At one point he was having chemo nearly every day and his hair fell out.

“Then for about a year he received maintenance treatment. Now every six months he has a lumbar puncture, as well as vincristine chemo once a month. At home we give Zak methotrexate weekly, Dexamethasone (a steroid) every month and co-trimaxazone at the weekends.

“When he was diagnosed I felt disbelief and shock. Our whole world has turned upside down. You think what have I done to cause this. The staff are very good, they reassure you that there is nothing you can do to prevent or cause it. We learnt that Zak’s immune system was very low and that if he hadn’t had the toe injury, we would have found out about the cancer another way about at some point.”

For the past two years the family, including Zak’s big sister Kyra, has been through an incredible journey as they fight cancer.

“You never see him upset over anything. Everyone loves Zak. He’s a very active child who loves riding bikes, swimming and playing football. He never sits still.”

“Zak is such a little fighter. Despite always being in pain, he just gets on with life. We encourage him to exercise and he continues to ride his bikes – he’s an amazing bike rider.

“It was very difficult in the initial stages of the cancer. When he was younger he would just cry, but now he’s older, Zak can tell us exactly what’s going on with his body. We are managing things better and so is he.

“His appetite is very up and down though and I work hard to ensure that he has a balanced diet, even though his tastebuds change, as they are affected by the treatment.”

One of the small comforts that has helped Zak through the part couple of painful years has been the Cancer Support UK Kid’s Kit, which includes a warming teddy. The little fighter is helping to support the Cuddles for Christmas 2024 Appeal, to bring comfort to other kids battling cancer.