Brave Noah Stevenson has Down’s Syndrome
16:21, 11 Dec 2025Updated 05:44, 13 Dec 2025
Noah Stevenson and mum Claire Brereton have spent weeks in hospital following his leukaemia diagnosis
Support has flooded in for a 10-year-old boy with Down’s Syndrome – after he was struck down with leukaemia. Noah Stevenson, of Clayton, was given the heart-breaking diagnosis in September.
He has spent the last nine weeks receiving treatment in Birmingham Children’s Hospital, alongside his mum Claire Brereton. Now the mother-and-son face having to travel to London for specialist treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Gran Jane Brereton says Noah has had a difficult medical history.
She told StokeonTrentLive: “Children with Down’s Syndrome obviously suffer with a certain amount of additional needs. But there isn’t a clear blueprint. Each child is slightly different. They have different developments and health issues.
“Noah had open heart surgery when he was a baby and his thyroid plays up a bit. He has learning difficulties too. He also has a bit of a weak immune system. We were always in and out of hospitals with him when he was younger with flus and colds. But he’s always jumped right back. He’s such a little fighter. Nothing stops him.
“But in many ways, he’s like a regular child. He’s laughy and happy – and he can be very naughty! Everyone in Clayton knows him. He puts a big smile on your face, he’s just fabulous. He’s definitely a bit of a cheeky chappy though.”
Noah Stevenson with mum Claire Brereton before his leukaemia diagnosis
Claire and Jane say the family were left ‘devastated’ following Noah’s latest diagnosis.
“He got a rash one day, and Claire wasn’t happy with it at all,” Jane recalled. “She knew something was up. It rang alarm bells straight away. She took him to hospital, while I took over the school run with the other kids. She rang me at teatime. I asked her how everything was going. She said ‘It’s the worst mum, the worst it could ever be’.
“It’s been the biggest and most horrendous shock. It’s something that no parent, grandparent or just anyone wants to hear. Everyone who’s found out has been absolutely devastated. You know these things happen, but you never think it will happen to you. When you’re sitting watching Children in Need, you think ‘how terrible’. It never dawns on you that it could happen to your family one day.”
Sadly, Noah’s treatment has been fraught with difficulties thanks to his pre-existing conditions.
Jane explained: “He’s been very poorly from the chemotherapy. People with Down’s Syndrome can’t cope with the dosage as much. He broke out in blisters and has been very ill, even from the smaller dose. He’s had sepsis and his lungs have collapsed during his treatment. But he’s such a strong little boy. We’ve all been amazed by how well he’s been fighting it.
“Now he’s on immunotherapy. It’s working better, but it’s affected his heart rate and blood pressure. He’s had to have even more medication to correct that. But after three days he’s had signs of improvement. The steroids have definitely made him grumpy though!”
Noah Stevenson meeting Santa Claus in hospital
Noah’s family have now been told he will need to go to Great Ormond Street Hospital to receive specialist care. This has created a daunting financial situation for mum Claire, who is Noah’s full-time carer.
Family friend Sally Jones has now stepped forward to help by kick-starting a variety of fundraisers. Events include a sponsored walk, a Christmas party, and a pool competition.
Jane added: “Sally has organised this and done a tremendous job. She says it’s help from one mother to another. Claire is down there all week with him. Her other children go down at the weekend too, so at least she gets to see them a bit too. But they’re really struggling. So the fundraiser is just for the family.”
Stoke and Staffordshire Down’s Syndrome has also started an online fundraiser. You can support Noah and his family by visiting their JustGiving page, here.
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