These are the words Claire Mahoney had feared she would never hear.

After watching her young son Lewis battle acute lymphoblastic leukemia for three gruelling years, she was terrified he would not pull through.

But now doctors have given brave Lewis the all-clear - and Claire can't thank medical staff enough.

She said: "The build-up to getting the results was worse than going for the test. It was really horrible.

"Luckily one of the doctors was able to give us the results straight away but we did have to wait until that night to have everything confirmed by the consultant.

"The relief was unbelievable. We went out to celebrate and just had the loveliest day."

In April this year the Evening Times told how Lewis was diagnosed with the condition in July, 2009, less than a month after his baby brother was born.

Lewis had been feeling ill for weeks but his family GP said that he had a virus.

Claire and her partner Michael, a 25-year-old chef, knew something more was wrong with their wee boy but were repeatedly told nothing serious was wrong.

But Lewis suddenly lost the ability to walk and the family were told he had post-viral irritable hip syndrome.

Claire, 25, and Michael took the then two-year-old to a treatment group but staff there realised he had been misdiagnosed and referred him to Glasgow's Yorkhill Hospital for Sick Children.

Tests confirmed the toddler had the condition and he was started sessions of intense chemotherapy immediately.

Claire said: "At the time it was such a shock and all happened so quickly. We knew Lewis had something wrong with him but we never for a minute expected it would be something so serious.

"We were also trying to make sure Arran, Lewis's brother, was receiving the attention he needed."

As well as the chemotherapy, Lewis, from Finnieston in Glasgow, had to endure steroid treatment, which made his weight balloon.

Eventually the toddler was wearing clothes made for six-year-olds.

For the past three years Lewis has been having treatment to try to kill off the cancer and prevent the disease from multiplying.

He has taken medicine every night and attends weekly health checks to monitor his progress.

But this week Lewis, now five, has been given the all-clear - and after one more round of chemotherapy he will be free of hospital visits.

Claire said: "It's a weird feeling. We are out on our own to see how we get on - it's very, very good news but also a little bit odd too.

"I also know from spending such a lot of time in hospital that not all children are so lucky and not everyone survives.

"It will be strange not to have to go to Yorkhill so often but we can hardly even explain how great it is to know that Lewis is well.

"He's been so brave. I wanted him to know what was going on as it's his body and he knows that his blood was poorly but it's better now.

"We didn't hide anything from him."

When Lewis became ill, Claire wanted to do something to help the people who had helped Lewis.

She offered to support Cancer Research UK, which has given a Little Star bravery award to Lewis.

Now Claire and the family are getting behind new fundraising campaign Stand Up To Cancer, which was launched last week at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

She added: "We know that as a family we owe a lot to Cancer Research UK and the science that has led to the treatments that have helped Lewis so much.

"That's why we want to do all we can to get everyone in Scotland to Stand Up To Cancer.

"By boosting funding right now, the best research teams will be able to develop new treatments, bring cures faster and save more lives."

And tonight the charity is joining forces with Channel 4 for a televised event featuring presenter Davina McCall, comedian Alan Carr and TV medic Dr Christian Jessen.

The show aims to raise millions for the charity with special editions of Alan Carr's chat show and The Million Pound Drop.

Throughout the night, Dr Christian will be on hand to explain the science behind incredible new cancer trials and meet those whose lives depend on breakthroughs in cancer research.

Every hour, around three people in Scotland are diagnosed with cancer and one-in-three people in the UK will be diagnosed with the disease at some stage in their lives. Stand Up To Cancer aims to raise money to boost research to help more people survive and ensure more families stay together.

Stand Up To Cancer will unite scientists, celebrities and communities in Scotland and across the county to generate funds and raise awareness.

To find out more see www.standuptocancer.org.uk

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk