Boy's constant high fevers turns out to be leukemia

A family has said their world was "turned upside down" after their four-year-old son came home from nursery with a temperature - which was later diagnosed as leukemia.

Alfie Phillips was taken to hospital after a week of persistent fever, where doctors delivered the upsetting diagnosis.

His mom Stacey Dunne, 34, from Bolton, Gtr Manchester, said the ordeal began with what seemed like a routine illness.

She said: "It was just a mild temperature and there was no indication he might even have a bug.

"For a week, it stayed very mild and we gave him Calpol to bring it down.

"He was still himself - eating, drinking and playing.

"But after a week, his temperature got worse and he became really lethargic.

"Then he developed a spotty rash, which would be hard to notice if you didn't know him - it just looked like freckles.

"Because his temperature was over 40 and it wasn't coming down, we rang 111."

Tests in A&E revealed something was wrong, as doctors warned that Alfie's low platelet count alongside his symptoms could point to leukemia.

He was transferred the next morning to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, where a diagnosis of B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia was confirmed.

Stacey said: "At the start of treatment he suffered with fevers that wouldn't come down.

"We were having to use ice packs to try and get him some relief.

"He got really traumatized from all the cannulas they attempted to put in.

"He started having meltdowns anytime anyone in uniform came near him."

Describing the youngster, she said: "Where do you start with Alfie?

"He is so outgoing and switched on for a four-year-old.

"When you first meet him he will pretend to be shy, but once he has warmed up to you he will wind you up and make jokes at your expense just for a laugh.

"It wouldn't surprise me if his future career was to be a comedian.

"He is also the sweetest boy.

"He tells me a hundred times a day how much he loves me and that I'm his bestest girl in the whole world."

Despite this, Stacey said they are beginning to see glimpses of their "old Alfie" again, helped in part by hospital staff.

She said: "If it wasn't for the play team, especially Triona who he has taken a shine to, he would be bored stiff.

"She's also helped him get used to staff taking bloods and giving him treatment."

Alfie is currently being treated in isolation after catching adenovirus - meaning he cannot leave his hospital room.

The diagnosis means his family spend long stretches away from home and loved ones.

Stacey said: "Day to day, this has affected us massively.

"We can't work, we're miles from home and we can't see his sisters very often, which has been hard.

"I also have multiple sclerosis and the stress and emotions have made it such an exhausting experience."

Alfie now faces at least a month in hospital undergoing intensive chemotherapy - with treatment expected to last more than two and a half years.

Once discharged, he will still need to return to hospital several times a week.

The family have launched a fundraiser to help cover travel, accommodation and household bills.

Stacey said: "People should understand how in the space of a few hours a family's world can be turned upside down.

"For everyone that has supported us already, we are truly grateful.

"The kind words, the donations and those just sharing our page have made this all a little bit less stressful for us."

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 6:30 AM.