Five months after her stem-cell transplant, a three-year-old leukaemia survivor finally rang the hospital bell surrounded by her supporters.

Two years after the transplant, Maddy Chesworth’s latest bone marrow check confirmed she is cancer-free. “She’s been doing great! She’s happy, healthy and enjoying life as a five-year-old,” said her mother, Alessandra. “She’s still the feisty Maddy that she’s always been, but she has confidence now.”

Maddy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at three months old in November 2021. After relapsing in June 2023, her family urgently needed to find a suitable stem-cell donor.

A match was found through DKMS Africa in October 2023, and Maddy underwent her transplant on May 29, 2024. Her recovery was not without challenges. In the days following the transplant, she experienced a rash, severe tummy pain and fever, while bacteria were later detected in her blood.

She was treated with antibiotics and continued to be closely monitored. By June 6, Maddy was back home, and her mother reported that she was doing well as her blood counts stabilised and her new stem cells settled.

Maddy finally rang the bell months later as her recovery continued.

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“We would hear other kids ring that bell and every time we would think, one day it would be Maddy!” Alessandra said.

Maddy was excited, although at three years old she did not fully understand the significance of the moment. Her family explained that the ‘very bad cells were gone’ and that she would not have to stay in hospital anymore.

For Maddy, being free from the needles, tubes and long days in a hospital room was part of what made the occasion special. Dr Bennett, Sister Monica and social worker Jo joined the family for the celebration. Maddy wore a pink sash, while pink doughnuts helped mark the occasion.

“I could not hold back the tears when she rang that bell. We were so proud of her for fighting,” said Alessandra.

The family even keeps a special bell at home with the date Maddy rang hers, as a reminder of what she overcame. But leaving treatment behind did not mean everything immediately returned to normal.

School and new adventures

Maddy had spent much of her early childhood isolated because of the risk of infection, so returning to school the year after her transplant was difficult. Her family chose Candis Playschool because they wanted her to have a smaller environment where she would not feel overwhelmed.

With encouragement from her teacher, Maddy gradually began playing and interacting with other children. Today, Alessandra says she is eager to learn and make friends. “Mom, I can’t wait to learn to read!” Maddy tells her. As her confidence grew, so did her interest in getting active.

Her family started introducing her to different activities to help strengthen her body after years of being confined to hospital rooms and home. She now does soccer and kiddies robotics at school, plays tennis like her brothers, enjoys gymnastics and counts swimming as her favourite.

“She just begs us to try it all,” said Alessandra.

For the family, watching Maddy become more confident has been one of the biggest changes. “She’s really stepping out of her shell, and it’s just amazing to see,” Alessandra said.

After everything the family experienced during Maddy’s treatment, they also made a promise to each other: Once she rang the bell, they would make memories, appreciate their time together and enjoy life.

They have since travelled to the Drakensberg, Swaziland, Sun City, Italy and England, while also enjoying beach trips, local markets and simple family traditions such as decorating their home with Christmas lights.

The latest cancer-free results have given that family a reason to look ahead, although Alessandra says the worry that comes with having a child who has gone through cancer treatment will always remain.

“Having seen her go through so much, it’s truly surreal to actually get to a point of thinking, ‘So can we move on? Can she live a normal life now?’”

For Alessandra, the answer is reflected in what Maddy is doing now: Going to school, making friends, trying new activities and enjoying being a five-year-old.

“All I wanted was for Maddy to be happy and just live her life,” she said. “We are so proud that she’s doing just that, and we are excited to see what life has in store for her.”