Doctors thought girl, 2, had virus but it was rare form of cancer
The parents of Isla Chapman, two, have launched an appeal after she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (Picture: Chapman Family / SWNS)

A two-year-old girl was misdiagnosed with a virus when she was really suffering from a rare form of cancer.

Isla Chapman, 2, has acute myeloid leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells that only affects a handful of children every year.

Doctors diagnosed the little girl with an allergic reaction after her face kept swelling up.

They then told her parents that they believed it to be a viral infection.

However, after her mum insisted Isla had blood tests, it was discovered that she was suffering from cancer.

The little girl now needs a bone marrow transplant after Christmas.

Her aunt and uncle, Maxine Walters and Aaron Chapman have launched a fundraising appeal to help the family after parents Dale and Amanda’s expenses spiralled.

Isla Chapman has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. See SWNS story SWPLvirus - Family launch desperate appeal after two year old who parents thought just had a virus was diagnosed with rare cancer. An appeal has been launched to help a two-year-old girl and her family after she was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer. The family from Plymouth were rocked when young Isla was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia - a cancer of the white blood cells which only affects a handful of children every year. After initially being told that Isla had probably contracted a viral infection, the youngster's parents Amanda and Dale Chapman were then shocked to discover that she in fact had leukaemia. Isla was transferred to Bristol Children's Hospital where she is still being treated and will need a bone marrow transplant after Christmas.
Isla was also told she was suffering from an allergic reaction by doctors (Picture: Chapman Family / SWNS)

Describing Isla’s ordeal, Maxine said: ‘They took Isla to Derriford Hospital because her face kept swelling up and were told at the time that it was probably an allergic reaction to something she had eaten or had been in contact with.

‘They were then told it was just a viral infection and it will go down in a couple of weeks.

‘But Amanda insisted that Isla had blood tests and they came back saying she had a low red blood count leading to the doctors discovering she had acute myeloid leukaemia.

‘Isla has already undergone weeks of intensive chemotherapy and there will be more to come.

‘She needs to have a bone marrow transplant which will probably be after Christmas.

‘Her mum, dad and brother Caben are being tested at the moment to see if they can be donors.’

Although she is unwell, Maxine says Isla, from Plymouth, Devon, is being her ‘usual lovely self’ at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Isla with her parents Amanda and Dale and brother Caben.. See SWNS story SWPLvirus - Family launch desperate appeal after two year old who parents thought just had a virus was diagnosed with rare cancer. An appeal has been launched to help a two-year-old girl and her family after she was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer. The family from Plymouth were rocked when young Isla was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia - a cancer of the white blood cells which only affects a handful of children every year. After initially being told that Isla had probably contracted a viral infection, the youngster's parents Amanda and Dale Chapman were then shocked to discover that she in fact had leukaemia. Isla was transferred to Bristol Children's Hospital where she is still being treated and will need a bone marrow transplant after Christmas.
The little girl’s aunt says she is her ‘usual bright and lovely self’, despite being in hospital (Picture: Chapman Family / SWNS)

Maxine said: ‘Isla’s going through a lot but she has been her usual bright and lovely self, she is still so excited to see people.

‘The family need support as both parents are off work and Isla’s brother is only aged one himself.

‘Staying in Bristol is very expensive and the whole thing is obviously very difficult for them so they appreciate everyone’s help so much.’

So far more than £10,000 has been raised for Chapman family on the GoFundMe, by far surpassing the initial target of just £1,500.

Fundraising events have already taken place and a five-a-side tournament is arranged for November 30.

To donate to Isla’s fundraising appeal for Isla visit GoFundMe.

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