HELP JACK BEAT CANCER

Hi my name is Ness & this is the story of my beautiful 9 year old nephew, Jack (with his dad Andy, mum Tanya & big sister Lily).

On 8 December 2023, Jack had surgery to remove a brain tumour. At Christmas he was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma which is a form of childhood cancer. Medulloblastoma is classified as a grade 4 tumor & is a cancer located in the brain in the cerebellum at the base of the skull which is the part of the brain that is in charge of motor skills, balance, and coordination. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, fatigue, fainting, confusion and poor coordination. Survival rate is around 60-70% varying by how much the tumour has spread. Treatments include tumour resection surgery, radiation chemotherapy, immunotherapy and trial treatments. Relapses can occur in about 30% of patients & survival rates drop considerably if a relapse occurs. There is hope that radiation and chemotherapy can bring.

Jack has recently completed 30 rounds of radiation over the past 3 months. He visited the Sydney Children's Hospital 5 mornings per week & was strapped into a head mask & table for around 40 minutes each day whilst he laid still for the radiation treatment to be completed.

After a small rest from treatment , on 10 April 2024, Jack has now been admitted back into the Children's Hospital at Randwick for Chemotherapy for the next 4 months.

Jack will miss school, play dates with his friends, playing soccer this season and will need full time care.

His immune system will be so low that any risk of fever or infection can affect his recovery, so his time will be spent between the Children's Hospital & his home.

Jack's mum & dad will be off work for a considerable time, some on unpaid leave & will need to be Jack's carer's whilst he has chemotherapy & recovers.

Jack's family would appreciate any donations that will assist with living and medical expenses whilst they can focus on what is most important, Jack's treatment & recovery.

Thanks so much

Ness x