Help Jack through his Cancer Journey
Donation protected
Jack was a very healthy fit young man, doing a carpentry apprenticeship. Apart from the fact he had very itchy sore legs and night sweats you wouldn't know there was anything wrong. We didn't find out there was, until after a year of treatment for eczema doing nothing; we eventually pushed for blood tests and found out it was something a lot more sinister. During lockdown Jack went through multiple different scans and appointments on his own and got admitted for a biopsy which, after a gruelling wait, confirmed our worst fears. Jack got diagnosed with a cancer called Advanced Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma. Not only is a diagnosis like this absolutely heartbreaking, not being able to even give him a hug due to Covid-19 restrictions, it was emotionally devastating. Jacks cancer is a tumour in his chest which has also spread to his liver and has bone involvement. Lymphoma is a blood cancer so this means his white blood cells don't work correctly, therefore he cannot fight off infections or viruses well - and as I'm sure you can understand our concern about this given the current climate. He has taken part in a clinical trial in which he received a type of immunotherapy to strengthen his immune system before chemotherapy depletes his white blood cell count further. We are hoping his being a part of this trial will give positive results however the results aren't known yet. He has now started chemotherapy and is doing as well as you'd imagine.
Having cancer as a young person is terrifying and isolating as it is, yet we have many more issues to deal with that you don't expect to come alongside a cancer diagnosis. His apprenticeship has been put on hold so he is out of work and those who had a duty of care to look after him have sadly let him down at his most vulnerable. When you have no income and you're not entitled to any benefits because of an awful system and every circumstance being out of your control; you can't pay rent, bills or buy food let along have any quality of life at your lowest. It becomes an overwhelming worry. Jack and I moved in together last month and it should be one of the happiest times of our life and although we still have an amazing relationship and life together, things are really hard right now. I am a full time second year university student and now a full time carer too at the age of 20. Jack is my absolute world and i will support him as best as i can emotionally, physically and mentally. I would also support him financially but my student loan isn't enough to see us through the next 6 months, neither should it need to be.
I know times are hard for everyone right now, and this isn't something either of us wants to do - but I'm asking for help because Jack needs it. Anyone who knows Jack will know how heartbreaking it is to see him admit that things actually aren't okay. And I'm doing this because he is too proud to ask for help. But in a time where his future is uncertain and he's going through more than any 20 year old should, we're asking for anything you are able to spare to allow him some sort of independence through an otherwise uncontrollable situation. Anything would be so appreciated to ease the financial burden of this lovely boy so we can focus on looking after him and hopefully coming out of this stronger. You never think cancer will happen to you but it can and we will do whatever we can to support and raise awareness to cancer charities that help people like Jack everyday. If you want to help further, Macmillan, Lymphoma Action and Teenage Cancer Trust
are all charities that are helping us and other cancer patients like jack get through these hard times.
Thank you,
Flora (Jacks Girlfriend) x
Having cancer as a young person is terrifying and isolating as it is, yet we have many more issues to deal with that you don't expect to come alongside a cancer diagnosis. His apprenticeship has been put on hold so he is out of work and those who had a duty of care to look after him have sadly let him down at his most vulnerable. When you have no income and you're not entitled to any benefits because of an awful system and every circumstance being out of your control; you can't pay rent, bills or buy food let along have any quality of life at your lowest. It becomes an overwhelming worry. Jack and I moved in together last month and it should be one of the happiest times of our life and although we still have an amazing relationship and life together, things are really hard right now. I am a full time second year university student and now a full time carer too at the age of 20. Jack is my absolute world and i will support him as best as i can emotionally, physically and mentally. I would also support him financially but my student loan isn't enough to see us through the next 6 months, neither should it need to be.
I know times are hard for everyone right now, and this isn't something either of us wants to do - but I'm asking for help because Jack needs it. Anyone who knows Jack will know how heartbreaking it is to see him admit that things actually aren't okay. And I'm doing this because he is too proud to ask for help. But in a time where his future is uncertain and he's going through more than any 20 year old should, we're asking for anything you are able to spare to allow him some sort of independence through an otherwise uncontrollable situation. Anything would be so appreciated to ease the financial burden of this lovely boy so we can focus on looking after him and hopefully coming out of this stronger. You never think cancer will happen to you but it can and we will do whatever we can to support and raise awareness to cancer charities that help people like Jack everyday. If you want to help further, Macmillan, Lymphoma Action and Teenage Cancer Trust
are all charities that are helping us and other cancer patients like jack get through these hard times.
Thank you,
Flora (Jacks Girlfriend) x
Organizer and beneficiary
Flora Woolman
Organizer
Michelle Grieves
Beneficiary
