In Memory of Jack: Support Nicholas Trust Palliative Care

In Memory of Jack: Help Us Support The Nicholas Trust Pediatric Palliative Care

Dear Friends and Family,

In April 2024, our lives were turned upside down when our 13-year-old son, Jack, became seriously ill with 9 days of nausea and vomiting. On April 29th, our world shattered when we learned that Jack had been diagnosed with a high-grade glioma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.

After a brain resection, 33 rounds of radiation, and being approved for a chemotherapy drug, Jack was doing better than we could have hoped. He returned to school full-time, played sports, and was living life as a joyful, happy teenager once again.

However, earlier this year, just three days before his scheduled MRI, Jack began to show symptoms again. His MRIs had been stable up until that point, but this scan showed something different. After more tests and a brain biopsy, we received the devastating news that Jack’s cancer had progressed to Leptomeningeal disease. The doctors told us that Jack only had weeks to live.

The last few weeks of Jack’s life were spent at home, where we tried to give him the comfort and peace he deserved. When we could no longer manage his pain at home, we were fortunate to be placed in a special room at the hospital. This room, equipped with sleeping areas, a private bathroom, a kitchen, and space for family and friends, gave us the ability to spend Jack’s final moments together as a family in a way that allowed us to make the most of the time we had left. It was an immeasurable blessing in our darkest time.

Unfortunately we lost Jack in the early hours of Friday 28th February, in honour of Jack’s strength, bravery, and selflessness throughout his battle, we are asking for donations to The Nicholas Trust Paediatric Palliative Care. The Nicholas Trust provides vital support and care to families facing the unimaginable, just like ours. Their efforts helped us tremendously during Jack’s final days, and we want to help them continue their work by raising funds that will ensure they can support more families in the future.

We are forever grateful for the care and love that was shown to Jack and our family, and we hope to give back in his memory. Jack fought so hard, and we want to honour him by helping others who find themselves in a similar heartbreaking situation.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any contribution you can make. Whether it’s a donation or simply sharing this campaign, your support means the world to us.

With love and gratitude,

The Lavelle Family