A family was left heartbroken after what appeared to be a common cold in their baby turned out to be a rare form of a serious disease. Four-month-old Melody developed what her parents thought was just a cold back in April.

However, when her breathing deteriorated and feeding became difficult, parents Rachel-Elizabeth Hewitt and Kevin Aggett rushed her to hospital. Within hours, medics delivered the devastating news that Melody had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) - a rare and aggressive blood cancer.

She was immediately transferred to paediatric intensive care in Southampton, where emergency treatment began, including chemotherapy, blood and platelet transfusions. She was later moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital for a bone marrow transplant and where she continues to receive treatment.

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Despite enduring intensive and often harrowing treatment, Melody has maintained her cheerful nature, continuing to smile and giggle. Rachel from Poole, Dorset, described the overwhelming pain she experienced upon receiving Melody's diagnosis.

She said: "It didn't feel real. I was so shocked, I had to ask the consultant to repeat her words. Hearing those words was like a stabbing pain in my heart."

When Melody came down with a cold in April 2025, her parents assumed their little girl's sniffles would be nothing unusual. But when the cold began affecting Melody's breathing, warning signs emerged. After 12 hours passed without a single wet nappy, Rachel rushed Melody to their local hospital in Poole to have her examined.

Rachel explained: "The first consultant thought it was bronchiolitis, which can cause breathing problems. They wanted to send Melody home.

"Luckily she was seen by another consultant who fitted Melody with a nasogastric (NG) tube and kept her in overnight. The next day Melody was examined by yet another consultant, who ordered a GAS (blood gas) test."

Within minutes of receiving the GAS result, additional blood tests were carried out and just 60 minutes later, medics delivered the heartbreaking news that Melody had leukaemia. Melody received a platelet transfusion before being moved to a Paediatric Intensive Care unit in Southampton.

She spent a month in intensive care, including a fortnight on a ventilator and two courses of chemotherapy. Additional tests showed that Melody had a high-risk form of leukaemia – AML (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia), an exceptionally rare type of rapidly developing blood cancer, which affects approximately 100 children and young adults diagnosed annually in the UK.

Melody desperately needed a bone marrow transplant and in August she was moved to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she underwent a bone marrow procedure. Despite the gruelling nature of Melody's various treatments, Rachel has continued to breastfeed her daughter throughout, offering a soothing and comforting presence.

She added: "We do as much as possible with Melody – playing with her and giving lots of cuddles and love. She's an inspiration, because she's smiled and giggled throughout, whereas I have cried continuously. She's such a fighter even when feeling poorly."

However, amid the gruelling treatment regime, a special teddy bear has been providing comfort to the 11-month-old infant. Cuddles, a unique Warmies heatable teddy bear, was provided through Cancer Support UK's Cuddles for Christmas campaign.

"This warmable bear is wonderfully comforting and brings a smile to Melody's face," said Rachel. "It's the perfect size for her and we are so grateful to everyone who donated and ensured Melody received her cute Ted. It's been a godsend at this difficult time."

The cuddly companion has given Melody vital reassurance throughout lengthy hospital admissions, with her parents saying it has helped brighten her mood.

Mark Guymer, CEO of Cancer Support UK, said: "These bears are so much more than soft toys - they're special lavender-scented sensory Teds that can be gently warmed in a microwave. Their comforting weight and soothing warmth provide a sense of calm and reassurance for children facing the challenges of cancer treatment.

"For a child spending Christmas in hospital, treatment can be a frightening and isolating experience. A warm cuddle from one of our bears can help ease stress and anxiety, offering a moment of comfort and care when it's needed most.

"This year, we're aiming to send 1,200 Cuddles bears to children's cancer wards across the UK. It's an ambitious appeal, but with the public's support, we can make sure that every child facing cancer this Christmas receives a bear and knows that someone is thinking of them."