<div><strong>Raffi'S Story</strong>
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<div>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.
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<div>But in March 2025, everything changed.
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<div><strong>A Sudden Change and a Shattering Diagnosis</strong>
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<div>One Monday, Raffi’s nursery called to say he was walking unsteadily. We thought it might be an ear infection or a virus.
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<div>A few days later, after tests and an MRI, our world came crashing down — Raffi had a<strong> large brain tumour</strong> in his cerebellum.
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<div>We were rushed by ambulance to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Within days, Raffi underwent a<strong> 10-hour emergency brain surgery</strong>.
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<div>The operation was successful, and surgeons removed the whole tumour — <strong>but our relief was short-lived</strong>.
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<div>The results showed that Raffi had Group 3 Large Cell Anaplastic Medulloblastoma, a <strong>very rare and aggressive brain cancer</strong>. Only a handful of children in the UK are diagnosed with this subtype each year.
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<div><strong>The Fight of His Life</strong>
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<div>Even after the initial rounds of chemotherapy his <strong>cancer spread</strong>.
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<div>Since then, Raffi has endured more than any child should. He’s been through multiple rounds of <strong>intensive chemotherapy</strong>, weeks in hospital, and six weeks of <strong>daily radiotherapy under general anaesthetic</strong>.
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<div>The side effects have been heartbreaking: sickness, fatigue, infections, hair loss, and the skin on his head peeling. Yet through it all, <strong>Raffi has never lost his smile or his sense of humour</strong>.
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<div>After radiotherapy, scans showed no visible disease — and for the first time, we felt hope.
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<div>But <strong>this type of cancer is known for being aggressive</strong>. Even with the best treatment, the <strong>risk of relapse is very high, and sadly, there are no preventative options in the UK</strong>.
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<div><strong>A Chance for Hope in the USA</strong>
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<div>That’s why we’re fundraising to take Raffi to the United States to join a <strong>new trial using DFMO drugs</strong> to treat high-risk Medulloblastoma.
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<div>Its a <strong>two-year programme</strong> at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania and has shown <strong>promising results in helping children with high-risk cancers</strong> like Raffi’s stay in remission.
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<div>He’s already been accepted onto the programme — our only barrier now is funding.
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<div>The total cost — including medical treatment, ongoing tests and scans, travel, insurances, and accommodation — is estimated to be at least £200,000.
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<div><strong>A Double Battle</strong>
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<div>As if Raffi’s battle wasn’t enough, <strong>his mum Nicky was also diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer</strong> shortly after Raffi’s radiotherapy.
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<div>She’s had surgery, is going through chemotherapy and radiotherapy herself — all while caring for Raffi and his sisters, Ella and Talya.
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<div><strong>Our family has been through unimaginable pain, but we refuse to give up</strong>. We’re doing everything possible to <strong>give Raffi the future he deserves — to grow up, to play, to live</strong>.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help</strong>
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<div>We are asking for your support to <strong>help us reach our goal</strong>.
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<div><strong>Every donation, share, and message of support means the world to us</strong>.
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<div>Your kindness will go directly towards:
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<div>•	DFMO treatment and hospital costs
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<div>•	MRI scans, blood tests, and medical monitoring
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<div>•	Flights and accommodation for the two-year programme
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<div>•	Medical travel insurance
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<div><strong>Together, we can give Raffi a real chance</strong> to beat this rare cancer and live the bright, beautiful life he deserves.
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<div><strong>Please donate if you can — and share our story far and wide.</strong>
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<div>Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
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Vikki Josephs

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Rally for Raffi – Help Our Brave Boy Beat His Rare Cancer

Rally for Raffi – Help Our Brave Boy Beat His Rare Cancer

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