Vicky Smith is organising this fund raising appeal on behalf of Jasmine McPeak and Matthew Davis

One and a half year old Ruben James Davis is a bright blue eyed cheeky little character, whose world - and that of his parents and grandparents - has been turned upside down.

What began as a pea sized lump on the side of Ruben’s head was claimed by expert GPs to be a childhood cyst but it grew rapidly. The family were obviously concerned and after several worrying visits to Doctors and A&E they finally x-rayed Ruben and it’s now led to the devastating diagnosis of Stage four high risk Neuroblastoma. A rare aggressive Cancer.

What makes Ruben‘s story even more heartbreaking - and remarkable - is the fact he’s everyone’s miracle baby, who came into the world so soon after the passing of Helen Davis. His great grandmother, who herself was diagnosed in July 2018 with a rare form of blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. Helen was given only 5 days to live but was determined to prove the experts wrong and fought so bravely for well over 4 and a half years but sadly passed away in January 2023. The family are still trying to come to terms with the loss of Helen. So when the news arrived that Matthew and Jasmine were expecting Ruben, you can imagine what a wonderful blessing this news was for the entire family.

Now, heartbreakingly Ruben faces a battle of his own. Matthew and Jasmine, Nana Lynette, Nanny Jodi, family and friends are still in total shock and trauma around what recently unfolded.

Ruben‘s little body has gone through so much these last few weeks to find out what stage the cancer had reached and where it had spread. Biopsies, MRIs, x-rays, CAT scans. After these tests came back just this week they confirmed what no parent wants to hear. Ruben has neuroblastoma stage four high risk cancer that has most likely spread from the tumour found in his adrenal gland and which has now sadly travelled to his bone marrow. He also has several tumours in his head. This is a rare type of cancer usually only affecting children and babies under five.

Ruben has been referred to Southampton Hospital where we he will begin an intensive treatment pathway. Firstly his little body will endure eight rounds of two different types of chemo in 10 day cycles. They are looking at radiotherapy and possibly surgery to remove the tumours once they’ve shrunk. This is intense treatment which will most likely span over a year. It’s a long and uncertain road ahead.

Matthew, Jasmine , Lynette, Jodi and family are doing everything they can to remain strong for Ruben but emotional and financial toll needs to be planned for and this is why I’ve created this GoFundMe page.

Matthew and Jasmine will be at their son’s bedside 24 seven and we don’t know how Matthew‘s employer will navigate this.

For a family who’s already faced more than their fair share of heartbreak this is an unthinkable blow.

The family is holding onto Hope and asking for your help.

Every donation, no matter what the size will help ease the burden on Matthew, Jasmine, the Nans and immediate family and give Ruben his best chance of beating this.

This fund is for

And the many hidden costs that supporting a young child through cancer will incur.

I’m looking at ways to help like grants from charities set up to help families dealing with neuroblastoma and will also take part in a charity boxing match to raise as much money as we can.

If you can’t spare, please share Ruben’s story.

Send your love, strength, prayers and healing hope to Ruben and family.

Thank you for standing with Ruben and the family, we are all eternally grateful.

With much love, Hope and deep gratitude, Matthew, Jasmine, Lynette, Jodi and of course little Ruben.