Look out for Luca

This is 6-year-old Luca from Milton Keynes who was diagnosed in December 2017 with Rhabdomyosarcoma; a rare and aggressive muscular cancer.  Whilst Luca is bravely battling against his illness his family are facing a financial crisis, living in accommodation that no longer meets their needs and struggling to finance the almost 80 mile round trip to the hospital for treatment without a vehicle; the family are in desperate need of help. Although all charitable avenues are being investigated and the local authority is searching for more suitable housing, this unfortunately takes time and Luca and his family need support fast. We are therefore reaching out to you and asking you to help us to“Look out for Luca” and his loved ones, by helping us raise as much money as we can to reduce the financial strain on his family, and allow them to focus on getting Luca better. 

 

This is Luca’s story: 

 

Luca was first taken to the doctors around 08 Dec 2017 because his stomach felt hard, and initially, the doctors could not figure out what was wrong. Believing it might be constipation the family were sent to the surgical team at A&E.  Luca had numerous blood tests taken and underwent a number of ultrasounds; and despite the tests showing a mass, it was still believed it was constipation and he was sent home.




However, within half an hour of arriving home, the family received a call asking them to return, as they were to be transferred to the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford the next day. Once Luca arrived at the John Radcliffe he had further blood tests, numerous scans, and a biopsy to try and determine the cause. Stents were fitted to drain some of his organs as the "mass" was squashing them. 

 

Finally, after 14 long days, Luca was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (muscular soft tissue cancer). Once Luca had undergone his first cycle of chemotherapy he was allowed home just in time for Christmas. 

 

Since then Luca has had three months of chemotherapy but unfortunately, his cancer has not shrunk. As a result, Doctors are trying a new type of chemotherapy and he has just completed his 4th cycle. The family will find out soon if this new treatment has had more success. 

 

Luca lives with his Mum, Dad and 7-year-old sister in a two-bed apartment, and now has to be carried up the stairs. He shares the living room with his Mum who herself has suffered from bad health. 




Unfortunately, with no income and their savings depleted, the family are rapidly falling into dire straits financially. They are now in desperate need of our help to fund daily life, including the transport to and from the specialist hospital in Oxford.




How you can help 

Please “Look out for Luca” with us by donating any money you can, and share this page as widely as possible so we can ensure Luca and his family get the support they so desperately need.