Gyles Brandreth Shares Heartfelt Journey Following Grandson’s Cancer Diagnosis

Television personality and podcast host Gyles Brandreth has opened up about the emotional turmoil following his grandson’s cancer diagnosis, which he described as a significant “shock to the system.” His grandson, Kitt, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer, at just 15 months old in April 2017. The diagnosis came as a surprise to Brandreth, who had previously viewed cancer as a disease that primarily affected middle-aged individuals.

Kitt’s parents, Brandreth’s daughter Saethryd and her husband, Army veteran Mark, discovered a pea-sized lump near Kitt’s stomach during a nappy change. Initially, a general practitioner suggested the lump was likely a cyst or hernia. However, further tests revealed the alarming truth about Kitt’s condition, which affects fewer than 60 children in the UK each year.

Challenging Treatment Journey

Kitt began treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), undergoing chemotherapy that resulted in hair loss and required multiple blood and platelet transfusions. His journey was further complicated by a bacterial infection that impacted his heart and liver. Reflecting on the ordeal, Brandreth stated, “Kitt’s diagnosis was a shock to the system. You think of cancer as something that happens to unlucky middle-aged people, but you don’t think of kids – well, we didn’t.”

Despite the initial distress, the family found comfort in the hospital’s esteemed reputation. Brandreth noted, “The moment we heard Kitt was going to Great Ormond Street, we felt reassured because of their world-class reputation.” He commended the hospital staff for their dedication, saying, “It’s a case of holding your breath, being patient and trusting in the team. Everyone is there for you. It’s very moving because you never feel alone.”

Supporting Kitt Through Play

While Kitt’s parents focused on his care, Brandreth embraced his role as a supportive grandfather, providing a sense of normalcy during a turbulent time. He recalled the importance of play in Kitt’s treatment, stating, “What they do brilliantly at Great Ormond Street is remember that children are children. Kitt and I would do jigsaws, build things together – I’d build them up and he’d help knock them down.”

During treatment, Kitt developed veno-occlusive disease, a life-threatening condition often caused by high-dose chemotherapy. This condition obstructs small liver veins and can lead to multiple organ failure. Brandreth emphasized the slow pace of medical advancements in this area, commenting, “It became clear to us that the science in this area takes a long time to develop. You read things about new treatments in the paper and think this sounds exciting, but when you speak to the doctors, they aren’t available yet.”

Despite progress in some areas, such as CAR T-cell therapy pioneered at GOSH, the hospital reports that many childhood cancers are still treated with drugs developed in the 1970s. This highlights the ongoing need for kinder treatments and research in this field. GOSH Charity supports families by providing essential services, including free accommodation, a multi-faith chaplaincy, and a dedicated play team.

Now 10 years old, Kitt lives abroad with his parents and his older brother Rory, who is 19. He was given the all-clear in November 2017, ringing the hospital’s end-of-treatment bell. Kitt has been in remission for eight years and continues to have annual check-ups at GOSH.

In light of his family’s experience, Brandreth is now advocating for GOSH Charity’s appeal to fund a world-leading Children’s Cancer Centre, coinciding with World Cancer Day on Wednesday. His support aims to raise awareness and funding for vital research and treatment facilities for children battling cancer.