Gene's fight against Leukemia

Gene Pearce Jones our beautiful boy. You are so brave, smart, funny, caring and thoughtful. When you were first diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2018 you were only 3yrs old, your little body was full with it, we thought it was the end but you fought for three and a half years. You fought to walk again, you endured surgery after surgery, needles, tablets, sickness, toxic chemotherapy and missing out on so much 'normal' life. We were so proud of you ringing that bell 3 and a half years later.

It broke our hearts when it came back again 6 months later, aged only 7, we knew you were devastated as much as we were but you fought again for another two years. You fought through it all again, more surgery, more needles, more tablets, more sickness, more toxic chemotherapy and missing out on even more 'normal' life. When you rang the bell for the second time we hoped so much that this would be enough and you would be free to live your young life.

Now it has come back the third time, "I don't deserve this!" you said to the doctor in tears. You are only 9yrs, it breaks our hearts.

We are so sorry you have to go through yet more pain and suffering but we promise to be strong with you and endure what ever comes our way. We promise to still laugh with you and be silly with you. We promise to continue to nurture and comfort you through the times of sadness and hardship and always look for the small seeds of joy in the pain. We promise we will continue to listen and understand your feelings, your wants and desires and honour your decisions, your thoughts and expressions with trust and respect.

We don't know what this next journey is going to bring and what scars will be left but we will keep holding you and your sister and each other through it. With help from everyone who loves you we are going to do everything we can for you our beautiful boy,

We love you with all our hearts

Mummy, Daddy and Ina xxx

After 6 years of chemotherapy for ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) at his nearest, specialist children's hospital in Cardiff, the family are devastated that Gene has relapsed for the second time. The nature of his relapse is rare and the more the disease persists the harder it is to treat. The family stays hopeful that one day he will be cured from Leukaemia as new treatments roll out. He is due to start a course of T Cell treatment (CAR-T), a new, more specialised treatment in the next few weeks. This means Gene and his family must travel to the other side of the country from their home in Swansea, to Newcastle. The treatment may last more than 2 years (if maintenance chemotherapy is required), with the first 3-6 months requiring relocation to Newcastle for the CAR-T therapy.

The GoFundMe goal will help support the wellbeing, living and travel costs for Gene and his family during the first 6 months between Newcastle, Cardiff and Swansea as well as supporting them through any ongoing treatment that will be required after the initial 6 month period. Gene's parents are self-employed and will be largely unable to work during this time as they need to be there for Gene and his sister throughout this next unknown journey. There has been and will continue to be amazing help from various charities but grants are understandably limited and the family has found financial survival during the last 6 years extremely challenging. They hope that the gofundme goal will help alleviate some of this strain to allow them to focus on helping Gene and his sister through this next battle. The family haven’t sought crowdfunding during previous rounds of treatment but feel that this time the disruption and uncertainty will be so great that they need to ask for further help. Gene and his family fully understand that many of you will already be struggling with your own cost of living and we do not wish to make anyone feel obligated in any way. They thank you all for your love and solidarity in whatever form that may take.

GoFundMe organisers Matt & Jade Higman, Uncle & Auntie to Gene xxx