Our names are Al and Sarah, and we are River's dad and stepmum.

There are moments in life that stop you in your tracks. Moments that change everything you thought the future would look like. As parents, you spend your whole life hoping you can protect your child from pain. You tell yourself that if anything ever happened, you would carry it instead. The heartbreaking truth is that sometimes you can't.

This is one of those moments.

Many of you know River as your dance teacher and choreographer. Others know River through music as a singer, DJ, producer and artist. Many know River as the person who always turns up with a smile, encourages everyone else, and somehow manages to make people laugh even on their hardest days.

What very few people know is that River has always carried life's biggest battles quietly. Opening up has never come naturally. Even when things are difficult, River will almost always tell us everything is fine.

As parents, we know that isn't always true.

Recently, our family received the devastating news that River has been diagnosed with a rare cancerous gland. Because of a rare biological condition (0.04% of the population has) and chromosome trait River has lived with since birth, this was a recognised risk once diagnosed. Even knowing that, nothing prepares you for hearing those words spoken about your own child.

River is now facing surgery, ongoing treatment and medication, all while trying to hold on to the life that has been worked so hard to build.

We want to take a moment to thank every doctor, nurse, consultant and every member of the NHS who has cared for River. The compassion, dedication and kindness shown throughout this journey have meant more to our family than words could ever express. We are endlessly grateful for everything they continue to do.

Unfortunately, alongside the emotional impact comes an overwhelming financial one. Medical costs, ongoing medication, specialist appointments, recovery and the unavoidable time away from work are becoming more than River can manage alone.

As parents, asking for help is one of the hardest things we have ever had to do.

If you know River, you will know just how kind, caring and selfless River is. River has never measured life by what could be gained, only by what could be given. Long before this diagnosis, River showed us what true compassion looks like.

In the early hours of one morning, River stopped to help a 17 year old boy who had been stabbed, immediately providing lifesaving first aid and using a shirt as a tourniquet to help keep the young boy alive until emergency services arrived. On another occasion, River rushed to help a man who suffered a cardiac arrest on a train, helping to perform CPR until further medical assistance arrived. That man is still alive today.

For these extraordinary acts of courage and selflessness, River was recognised twice by St John Ambulance and also by the Mayor. Yet if you asked River about those moments, the answer would simply be, "Anyone would have done the same."

That is who River is.

A humanitarian at heart. Someone who has always put others before themselves, often while carrying far too much alone.

Now, for the first time, River is the one who needs help.

This was never something we wanted to write. River never wanted anyone to know about this. Privacy has always been incredibly important, and for a long time River wanted to carry this burden alone. But watching someone you love try to protect everyone else while silently struggling and living with constant pain is something no parent should ever have to witness.

Even now, through all of this, River still smiles.

It is that smile that keeps us going.

It is that unmistakable laugh that reminds us every day that cancer has not taken away the beautiful person River is.

River still dreams about opening a dance studio. River is not River without music. There are still songs to write, performances to give, students to inspire and lives to change. River still talks about the future, still wants to create, still wants to help people and still dreams of having a family one day.

There is still so much life to live.

We truly believe this is not the end of River's story. We will not accept no for an answer.

We believe this is another chapter that one day will simply become part of River's story of resilience. River has overcome every challenge life has placed in the way before, and we have every faith that this will be no different.

The purpose of this fundraiser is simply to ease the financial pressure so River can focus entirely on healing while we take care of everything else we possibly can. 

The funds raised will help towards:

* Specialist treatment and consultations

* Travel and accommodation for overseas treatment

* Everyday costs while in downtime from working, allowing river to focus on strictly health without added stress.

Because River's diagnosis is linked to an exceptionally rare biological condition, there are very few specialists with experience treating this particular variant. Should the need arise, this fund will also help us access expert opinions, consultations and critical treatment outside the UK, where specialists with greater experience in this rare condition may be available. As parents, we want to ensure every possible option is explored and that no opportunity is out of reach simply because of financial barriers.

More than anything, this fundraiser is about giving River the very best chance to heal, recover and continue living the life that has always been dedicated to helping others.

To River's friends, family, colleagues, students and everyone who has ever been lucky enough to know River, thank you. Thank you for every message, every hug, every prayer, every kind word and every act of kindness. Your love has carried us through some of our darkest days, and we know so many of you can vouch for the incredible person River is.

We ask one thing above everything else.

Please respect River's privacy.

Sharing this has been one of the hardest decisions our family has ever made. River never wanted this journey to become public, but as parents, we reached a point where love had to be louder than pride. We simply want to give our child the very best chance of eliminating this.

Please only donate if you are able to. Your own family always comes first, and we completely understand that not everyone is in a position to help financially. Simply keeping River in your thoughts and hoping for brighter days means more than we can ever say.

We know River can beat this.

This is not the end of River's story. It is only the beginning of the next chapter, and we cannot wait for the day we see River back where River belongs, teaching, creating, performing, laughing and continuing to make the world a brighter place for everyone fortunate enough to know River.

With all our love and gratitude,

Al and Sarah

River's Dad & Stepmum