Zoe Ball’s stepsister praises her ‘ray of sunshine’ son with cancer

A children’s author has opened up about how her son’s optimistic attitude inspired a social media campaign as he battles through leukaemia. 

British author Hannah Peckham – who is also the step-sister of Zoe Ball – began the #pantstoleaukaemia movement while four-year-old Bodhi was undergoing grueling treatment for cancer.

‘For me, as a mum, having to give him chemo and thinking “Gosh, I have no control over this”,’ she told This Morning. ‘To feel like I can help…’

The idea came about when her toddler was stuck in hospital undergoing treatment instead of celebrating his birthday.

However, instead of being discouraged, little Bodhi was running around, naked, with his underpants on his head.

 ‘Although he’s been through this…he’s just…a little ray of sunshine,’ Hannah gushed.

She took to social media to let followers know about the #pantstoleukemia challenge earlier this month, asking supporters to post photos with pants on their head, make a donation to a cancer charity, and nominate friends to do the same. 

‘November 16th 2022 my beautiful boy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia,’ she wrote, ‘We have since only spent just over a week at home and I can honestly say leukaemia is pants !

Hannah Peckham (pictured) began the #pantstoleaukaemia movement while four-year-old Bodhi was undergoing grueling treatment for cancer

The idea came about when her toddler (pictured) was stuck in hospital instead of celebrating his birthday and undergoing treatment

‘However my little bonkers warrior is facing it with so much courage and of course a pair of pants on his head.’ 

Hannah explained that she sent the hilarious snap to her friends, only to receive photos of Bodhi’s ‘pals, their dogs , mummy’s and friends with pants on their head standing in solidarity with his plight (on what was meant to be his birthday party weekend) which Bodhi obviously thought was great fun’.

Hannah first spotted something was wrong with her very active and playful son when, after he broke his leg last summer, it wasn’t healing well.

She explained that her toddler explained that his ‘legs are out of breath’.

Hannah explained that she sent the hilarious snap to her friends, only to receive photos of Bodhi’s ‘pals, their dogs , mummy’s and friends with pants on their head’

After a few appointments, the mother was faced with the gut-wrenching news of Bodhi’s leukaemia.

‘I literally just wanted to leave my body,’ she said, of first hearing the news.

Bodhi was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 51 – and had to then spend weeks in hospital due to infection complications.

‘We went in the night we got diagnosed and we didn’t leave hospital until a couple of days before Christmas,’ Hannah explained. ‘Apart from to go to other hospitals.’

But now – there are brighter days ahead.

Hannah told Phil and Holly (pictured) how Bodhi was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 51 – and had to then spend weeks in hospital due to infection complications

At the beginning of January, Hannah on Instagram revealed that Bodhi had been discharged for a second time – and remains ‘low risk’ despite ‘all the bumps in the road’.

He had also responded ‘brilliantly’ to treatment – with ‘no leukaemia detected in the last test’.

‘My little boy has astounded us (and also the doctors at times) with his courage, fight and beautiful soul,’ she penned. ‘I am the luckiest mummy in the world and so proud of our little hero.’ 

You can donate to Bodhi’s cause here