Hulk and Batman-obsessed toddler is the real superhero

Katy Yeandle’s brave, superhero-obsessed son Joseph, who is just three, is battling a rare yet aggressive form of childhood cancer called stage four high-risk neuroblastoma. Joseph’s plight began shortly after last Christmas last year when he began to refuse his meals and, shortly after turning three in February, his energy levels dropped drastically. His parents initially put the behaviour down to a new habit picked up as a consequence of lockdown but, by Easter, things took a turn for the worse.

Joseph was struck down with a virus and, after his local hospital discovered his platelets were very low, he was sent for a series of tests and scans. He was transferred to Cardiff where a bone marrow biopsy revealed the awful news he had neuroblastoma, with the cancer spreading to his adrenal glands, stomach, lymphatic system, brain and bone marrow. He has spent the last few months undergoing intensive treatment – including chemotherapy – with a 40-50 per cent chance of long-term survival.

Brave little Joseph Yeandle, who is just three, pictured with older brother Liam, dad James and mum Katy

“Joseph’s courage and strength through this has been extraordinary,” said Katy.

“He really has put the rest of us to shame. So far, Joseph has had to endure a gruelling course of treatment that required him to have chemo every 10 days. The normal chemo cycle is every 21 days so that the body can recover, but Joseph had to have intensive treatment because of the high-risk staging of his cancer.

“This meant Joseph’s body was zapped with more toxins before he could recover properly. But even that didn’t get him down and he still managed to muster the energy to play with his toys; he is truly amazing.”

Initial results looked positive for Joseph, who has had eight chemotherapy sessions so far, but a bone marrow biopsy came back less positive. The brave youngster is currently undergoing Rapid COJEC chemotherapy and is due to have major surgery at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool sometime this month, after which he will have to undergo more high-dose chemotherapy with stem-cell rescue, radiotherapy and immunotherapy to complete his frontline treatment. As if that toxic treatment isn’t enough, Joseph also has to have regular scans, ultrasounds, injections, transfusions, oxygen and biopsies.

Katy admits the last six months or so has been full of concern and confusion, not least for Joseph’s older brother Liam, who at just six, has seen his mental health suffer due to not seeing his smiley younger sibling.

During Joseph’s treatment, only one parent has been allowed to stay with him at the hospital because of Covid restrictions, which has been a real strain on Katy, husband James and Liam. “Liam doesn’t quite understand this rule, and not being able to see his brother has had a big impact on his emotional well-being,” said Katy.

“He regularly asks ‘when can we be a family again?’, ‘why can’t Joseph come home?’. How do you even answer these questions?

“Despite everything Joseph remains a cheerful and smiley little boy. He misses his family when he is in the hospital but has discovered Facetime and the multitude of backgrounds and animations which is keeping him highly amused. He loves to see his brother Liam as a tomato, his nannie as a bunny rabbit, grandad as a sheep, his twin cousins with a fire background in their Fireman Sam outfits and nanna as a talking corn on the cob.”

Katy has taught at Ysgol Calon Cymru in Builth (formerly Builth Wells High School) for well over a decade. And despite not living locally – she travels around 50 miles every day from the family home in Rhosaman, between Ystradgynlais and Ammanford at the foot of the Brecon Beacons National Park – she has been overwhelmed by the love and support the school and community of Builth have shown her, Joseph and the entire family throughout their ordeal.

“The community around Builth Wells has been outstanding,” said the jack-of-all-trades teacher, who has covered textiles, health and social care and food since starting at the school in 2007.

“They have done raffles, cake stalls, car washing, race for life, the three peaks challenge and many more. The staff in the Strand cafe have generously donated all their tip money for three months, which is beyond amazing.”

Staff in school have organised a tribute night to be held in the White Horse pub next Wednesday, July 28, with the bar even announcing it will donate their takings for that night to Joseph’s cause.

“I can’t believe how this community has come together to support Joseph,” added grateful Katy. “I don’t know how I will ever be able to show them how grateful we truly are to them.

“The school is fantastic, the students and my colleagues are amazing and the community is like no other. Just look at what the school and community have already done for Joseph.

“It makes me proud to be a teacher in the school and I can’t thank everyone enough for what they have done for us.”

The amount of people who continue to support Joseph’s cause, and the areas from where it has come from, seemingly knows no bounds. Treatment, in order to be able to access every possible option in the worst-case scenario, could run to hundreds of thousands of pounds, but a fundraising link set up to help the family has already amassed close to £40,000 – aided by the help of many Welsh celebrities.

Joseph’s campaign has received support so far from the likes of actor Michael Sheen, Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby star Dan Biggar, Wales and Bournemouth footballer Chris Mepham, ex-Swansea City ace Lee Trundle, former world, British, European and commonwealth boxing champion Enzo Maccarinelli and former Welsh education secretary and Brecon and Radnorshire MS Kirsty Williams, to name just a few.

Joseph’s frontline treatment is set to finish next June and end of treatment scans will confirm whether he is in remission or not.

You can read more and donate to the cause here or text HELPJOSEPH and your amount (£1-£20) to 70085.