Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) and Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) will be left heartbroken in Emmerdale when baby Evan is diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.
The happy couple, who welcomed Evan into the world at the end of last year, will struggle to come to terms with the news, with their whole family thrown into turmoil in the aftermath.
‘This is a very difficult and sad story, but it's really important for Emmerdale to tell,' said actress Olivia Bromley.
‘I’ve learned a lot since working with Leukaemia Care and talking to parents whose children have been diagnosed, and we want to not only raise awareness, but also accurately represent the experience of families who are caught off guard by a diagnosis like this.
‘For Dawn and Billy, like many parents, Evan’s diagnosis turns their world upside down so unexpectedly.
‘It’s been inspiring to hear the stories of strength, resilience, and also to hear about the incredible NHS staff who do such invaluable work when parents are at their lowest, so I hope we can also reflect this as we approach this storyline.’
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Emmerdale boss Laura Shaw added: ‘Evan’s leukaemia diagnosis will come abruptly and without warning for Dawn and Billy, like it does for many parents who find themselves facing this devastating situation.
‘Working closely with Leukaemia Care, it’s vital to us that we portray this story as accurately and sensitively as possible and do justice to those faced with a diagnosis like this and highlight the severe impact a long term illness like this can have on families lives.’
Charity Leukaemia Care who are working closely with Emmerdale on this storyline to ensure a realistic and authentic depiction. Colin Dyer, CEO, commented said: ‘Every year 10,000 people are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK.
‘A leukaemia diagnosis can affect not just the patient, but also their loved ones such as friends and family.
‘The Baby Evan storyline being featured on Emmerdale, is helping to deliver a very important message not just about the awareness of the symptoms and the condition, but about how it affects the family and those around them
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
