Emotional Alison Hammond shares her concern for her 23-year-old niece as she battles an aggressive cancer as young doctors go on five-day strike
Alison Hammond got emotional as she opened up about her concerns for her beloved niece who is battling cancer while young doctors plan a five-day strike.
Jasmine, 23, the daughter of Alison’s sister Saundra, underwent a life-saving heart transplant 12 years ago after being diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at the age of three.
On Thursday’s This Morning show, Alison and co-host Dermot O’Leary discussed the longest strike yet over wages, as young doctors in England are now on strike until 7am Tuesday.
Alison said, “My niece has cancer and is going through really aggressive chemotherapy.”
“Obviously, as an aunt, I just want to know if she’s going to be affected because I know they have other doctors, but I just want to know if she’s going to be okay.”
Tough: Alison Hammond got emotional on Thursday’s This Morning show as she opened up about her concerns for her beloved niece, who is battling cancer while young doctors plan a five-day strike
Health: Jasmine, 23, the daughter of Alison’s sister Saundra, underwent a life-saving heart transplant 12 years ago after being diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at the age of three
She added: “She was the sickest girl in the UK at the time, so she was right at the top of the list to get a new heart.”
“You only worry and there are millions of other people who worry too.”
Jasmine almost died after suffering a heart attack in 2011, but luckily a heart transplant saved her life.
The operation was the first transplant at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Alison told The Mirror in 2012: “We’re a very close family.” I love Jasmine so much and to see her fall so ill was a terrible shock.
“I was at Jasmine’s bedside as much as I could – we took turns and were always with her.” Our family is like that – we all support each other.
“I was working on ‘This Morning’ but went to see her or even to stay the night just so I could spend more time with her.”
Kawasaki disease is a condition that primarily affects children under the age of five. It is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.
The disease causes inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels, which can lead to complications in the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart.
The industrial action will result in up to 47,600 medical workers below board refusing to provide medical care, including in emergency rooms and cancer wards, and NHS waiting lists are at a record high of 7.4 million.
More than 650,000 appointments and surgeries have been canceled due to NHS industrial action since December, including strikes by resident doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and paramedics.
The young doctors are demanding an inflation-dampening salary increase of 35 percent on a one-year contract or 49 percent over two years.
Strikes: On Thursday’s This Morning show, Alison and co-host Dermot O’Leary discussed the longest strike yet over wages, as junior doctors in England are now on strike until 7am Tuesday
Alison said, “My niece has cancer and is going through really aggressive chemotherapy.”
Talks with ministers collapsed amid allegations that the union had refused to back down from its original position.
Counselors, who have also been at loggerheads with the government over their salaries, will go on strike on July 20-21, though they will offer “Christmas insurance,” meaning they will only provide urgent and emergency care.
The combined action is expected to take the total number of cancellations to over 1 million.
Advisers have admitted they are using patients and long waiting lists as “bargains” to get a 35 per cent pay rise and reform of the Pay Review Body, which advises ministers on their salaries.
WHAT IS KAWASAKI DISEASE?
Kawasaki disease is a condition that primarily affects children under the age of 5. It is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.
Kawasaki disease causes inflammation and swelling of blood vessels, which can lead to complications in the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries).
A child with Kawasaki disease has a high fever that lasts 5 days or more and may have one or more of the following symptoms:
• a rash
• swollen glands in the neck
• dry, red, chapped lips
• a swollen, bumpy, red tongue (“strawberry tongue”)
• Redness in the mouth and throat
• swollen and red hands and feet
• Red eyes
Symptoms will subside after a few weeks with proper treatment, but it may take longer for some children.
Source: NHS