Our brave 4-year-old son Raffi is fighting a rare and aggressive brain cancer. He’s been accepted for vital treatment in the USA that could save his life — but we must raise £200,000 to get him there. Please help us give Raffi the chance to grow up, play, and live.

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Raffi'S Story

Our little boy Raffi is four years old. He’s full of life — cheeky, funny, and kind. He loves playing with cars, diggers, trains, and kicking balls. His smile lights up every room.

But in March 2025, everything changed.

A Sudden Change and a Shattering Diagnosis

One Monday, Raffi’s nursery called to say he was walking unsteadily. We thought it might be an ear infection or a virus.

A few days later, after tests and an MRI, our world came crashing down — Raffi had a large brain tumour in his cerebellum.

We were rushed by ambulance to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Within days, Raffi underwent a 10-hour emergency brain surgery.

The operation was successful, and surgeons removed the whole tumour — but our relief was short-lived.

The results showed that Raffi had Group 3 Large Cell Anaplastic Medulloblastoma, a very rare and aggressive brain cancer. Only a handful of children in the UK are diagnosed with this subtype each year.

The Fight of His Life

Even after the initial rounds of chemotherapy his cancer spread.

Since then, Raffi has endured more than any child should. He’s been through multiple rounds of intensive chemotherapy, weeks in hospital, and six weeks of daily radiotherapy under general anaesthetic.

The side effects have been heartbreaking: sickness, fatigue, infections, hair loss, and the skin on his head peeling. Yet through it all, Raffi has never lost his smile or his sense of humour.

After radiotherapy, scans showed no visible disease — and for the first time, we felt hope.

But this type of cancer is known for being aggressive. Even with the best treatment, the risk of relapse is very high, and sadly, there are no preventative options in the UK.

A Chance for Hope in the USA

That’s why we’re fundraising to take Raffi to the United States to join a new trial using DFMO drugs to treat high-risk Medulloblastoma.

Its a two-year programme at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania and has shown promising results in helping children with high-risk cancers like Raffi’s stay in remission.

He’s already been accepted onto the programme — our only barrier now is funding.

The total cost — including treatment, travel, insurances, and accommodation — is estimated at around £200,000.

A Double Battle

As if Raffi’s battle wasn’t enough, his mum Nicky was also diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer shortly after Raffi’s radiotherapy.

She’s had surgery, is going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy herself — all while caring for Raffi and his sisters, Ella and Talya.

Our family has been through unimaginable pain, but we refuse to give up. We’re doing everything possible to give Raffi the future he deserves — to grow up, to play, to live.

How You Can Help

We are asking for your support to help us reach our goal.

Every donation, share, and message of support means the world to us.

Your kindness will go directly towards:

• DFMO treatment and hospital costs

• MRI scans, blood tests, and medical monitoring

• Flights and accommodation for the two-year programme

• Medical travel insurance

Together, we can give Raffi a real chance to beat this rare cancer and live the bright, beautiful life he deserves.

Please donate if you can — and share our story far and wide.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!