TEENAGER Michael Sansom had just settled back into normal life after backpacking around Europe when a routine blood test turned his world upside down.

Tests to find out what was causing him ongoing knee pain revealed the 18-year-old had leukaemia.

The discovery in June had a huge impact on Michael, as well as his parents Pat and Ron, brother James and sister Helen.

Michael spent the next 12 weeks in a single hospital room receiving chemotherapy and steroid treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

He even celebrated his 19th birthday in hospital while receiving treatment as part of a new clinical trial, which lasts for more than three years and has a 60 to 70 per cent recovery rate.

Michael, of Canford Heath, was working in a call centre during a gap between university.

His colleagues got to work fundraising to buy him fun things for his hospital stay. He also received a surprise visit from Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.

And in October the Sansoms became the first family to benefit from a holiday to Center Parcs thanks to local charity Leaf (Leukaemia Educating and Fundraising).

The charity was set up by Natasha Taylor, who was diagnosed with leukaemia a month after giving birth to her son Alfie.

Its aim is to fund holidays and days out for families affected by leukaemia, and raise money to send Poole Hospital staff on education courses.

Speaking about their break to Center Parcs at Longleat Forest, Michael said: “It was really nice to be able to go away because we wouldn’t have been able to afford it.

“Mum has had to give up her job and I have been unable to work too.

“Once you are there you can forget about it all. It was a chance to have three complete days without any hospital visits or tests.”

Pat added: “It was really nice to get to spend a couple of days with each other.

“Obviously no one is going through it as much as Michael is but it has been a shock to everyone and we are each coping with it in different ways.”

Natasha said: “It is such a distressing time for the families that to have some precious time away from hospital to do some really fun things together is absolutely invaluable.”

* To find out more about Leaf, or if you can help with fundraising, donating prizes for auctions or offering discounted holidays or days out, call Natasha Taylor on 07500 448766, email tash@leafcharity.co.uk or visit leafcharity.com.