Jump 4 Josh
Donation protected
This is Joshua, our gorgeous, funny and bright little boy, who was born on the 8th September 2010, simply, our amazing precious son. He is full of energy and sociable with a zest for life. He is a very caring big brother to his little sister, Olivia. At 4 years old on the 28th July 2015,
sadly, Josh was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer, Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. Our world turned completely upside down, it turned dark, and we are desparately searching and hoping for that light at the end of the tunnel. Embryonal Rhabdomysarcoma is a soft tissue cancer, and the tumour lies behind his nose and eye area. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and his medical team at the Royal Marsden Hospital are applying for NHS Funding for him to undergo vital Proton Therapy Treatment in the USA for 9-10 weeks, due to the location of the tumour. We are hopeful that we will receive the funding, but also very anxious that it may be rejected.
We have set up our campaign Jump 4 Josh, in the hope that we can raise as much money as we can, to put towards funding of proton therapy, should he be rejected by the NHS. If we do get funding, it does not cover living expenses while we are in USA, and we would still need to keep our house going back here in the UK. With my husband, Matt being self-employed, and not able to work during our time in USA, and with little savings, it will be tough. Any extra money donated that is beyond what we require, we pledge to pass onto cancer charities. Included would be : The Royal Marsden Hospital, Oak Centre for Children and Young People, where Josh is being treated, and to CLIC Sargent, a children's cancer charity who are providing us with the most amazing emotional support.
We realise that we may not raise all the money to cover the cost of Proton Therapy so i have not included it as our target goal. Back in 2008, the average cost for Proton Therapy in USA was £90, 000. If we do get rejected for funding, hey, we will find a way to get the money needed for him to receive Proton Therapy.
Josh has endured so much for someone so young, in such a short space of time. He had excruiating pain for the best part of 6 weeks caused by his tumour; endless tests done involving needles and scans; has been under general anaesthetic for a biopsy, lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspiration, and a Hickman central line inserted into his lower chest area. This line allows his chemotherapy drugs and intravenous medications to be administered and for blood to be drawn without the use of needles. He has had so far 2 cycles of chemotherapy, which, each time, requires a 3 day hospital stay- cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs and fluids being pumped through his small body day and night; weekly Vincristine (one of his chemo drugs) boost; and on top of that he has been admitted into hospital twice for suspected infection, each time needing to stay in hospital for 3 days to be treated with IV antibiotics while waiting for blood culture results. All the while, Josh remains positive, extremely brave and for the most, happy, whilst suffering the gruesome side effects of chemotherapy.
I myself, My Linh, mummy to Josh, will be doing a Tandem Skydive on Tuesday 22nd September 2015....EEEKK!! It's something i have always wanted to do, but one of those things that i have never done...but i'm feeling brave...heck, surely I can be brave enough to do this when Josh, 4 years old, is demonstrating bravery we are all so very proud of. I can't think of a better time to do this; helping my son and other charities. I'm doing this to Jump 4 Josh, I'm jumping for Josh. I have set up a website dedicated to our campaign, www.jump4josh.com. Here i will be giving updates and news on how we and Josh are doing. In many years to come, this website will also be his 'memory book', should he wish to know more about 'the time when i was very sick'.
In regards to fundraising, we have friends and family who are offering their incredible support, and will be taking part in their own fundraising events,and will be using this Go Fund Me page to receive donations...so our heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of you...you know who you are!
Together, lets Jump 4 Josh!!
With all our love and immense gratitude for any donations received
My Linh, Matt, Joshua and Olivia
xxxxxx
sadly, Josh was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer, Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. Our world turned completely upside down, it turned dark, and we are desparately searching and hoping for that light at the end of the tunnel. Embryonal Rhabdomysarcoma is a soft tissue cancer, and the tumour lies behind his nose and eye area. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and his medical team at the Royal Marsden Hospital are applying for NHS Funding for him to undergo vital Proton Therapy Treatment in the USA for 9-10 weeks, due to the location of the tumour. We are hopeful that we will receive the funding, but also very anxious that it may be rejected.
We have set up our campaign Jump 4 Josh, in the hope that we can raise as much money as we can, to put towards funding of proton therapy, should he be rejected by the NHS. If we do get funding, it does not cover living expenses while we are in USA, and we would still need to keep our house going back here in the UK. With my husband, Matt being self-employed, and not able to work during our time in USA, and with little savings, it will be tough. Any extra money donated that is beyond what we require, we pledge to pass onto cancer charities. Included would be : The Royal Marsden Hospital, Oak Centre for Children and Young People, where Josh is being treated, and to CLIC Sargent, a children's cancer charity who are providing us with the most amazing emotional support.
We realise that we may not raise all the money to cover the cost of Proton Therapy so i have not included it as our target goal. Back in 2008, the average cost for Proton Therapy in USA was £90, 000. If we do get rejected for funding, hey, we will find a way to get the money needed for him to receive Proton Therapy.
Josh has endured so much for someone so young, in such a short space of time. He had excruiating pain for the best part of 6 weeks caused by his tumour; endless tests done involving needles and scans; has been under general anaesthetic for a biopsy, lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspiration, and a Hickman central line inserted into his lower chest area. This line allows his chemotherapy drugs and intravenous medications to be administered and for blood to be drawn without the use of needles. He has had so far 2 cycles of chemotherapy, which, each time, requires a 3 day hospital stay- cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs and fluids being pumped through his small body day and night; weekly Vincristine (one of his chemo drugs) boost; and on top of that he has been admitted into hospital twice for suspected infection, each time needing to stay in hospital for 3 days to be treated with IV antibiotics while waiting for blood culture results. All the while, Josh remains positive, extremely brave and for the most, happy, whilst suffering the gruesome side effects of chemotherapy.
I myself, My Linh, mummy to Josh, will be doing a Tandem Skydive on Tuesday 22nd September 2015....EEEKK!! It's something i have always wanted to do, but one of those things that i have never done...but i'm feeling brave...heck, surely I can be brave enough to do this when Josh, 4 years old, is demonstrating bravery we are all so very proud of. I can't think of a better time to do this; helping my son and other charities. I'm doing this to Jump 4 Josh, I'm jumping for Josh. I have set up a website dedicated to our campaign, www.jump4josh.com. Here i will be giving updates and news on how we and Josh are doing. In many years to come, this website will also be his 'memory book', should he wish to know more about 'the time when i was very sick'.
In regards to fundraising, we have friends and family who are offering their incredible support, and will be taking part in their own fundraising events,and will be using this Go Fund Me page to receive donations...so our heartfelt thanks goes out to each and every one of you...you know who you are!
Together, lets Jump 4 Josh!!
With all our love and immense gratitude for any donations received
My Linh, Matt, Joshua and Olivia
xxxxxx
Organizer
My Linh Duong
Organizer
