Joining Against Cancer in Kids

This it not the first or only attempt to expand the scant envelope of hope a child with high risk Neuroblastoma exists within. But there are reasons to believe this plea takes place in an era of change, of evolution. Bland words foaming amongst a clamorous sea of earnest causes.

Any child is always at risk and you embark, alongside that child, on a path. Your hand in theirs, as your son, your daughter learns to balance the demands, challenges and dangers, which may thwart their destiny to adulthood.

One day an obstacle of no obvious significance imposes a pause; the pause beguiles but all too soon its true portent reveals itself.The path upon which that boy or girl treads will end.

 For five that begin their journey four will perish, but only after, cycles of pain and suffering imposed despite the probable. And knowing this, moreover knowing your child, knowing there to be no alternative - you transform your grip into a clench. You devote your mind to a smile of certainty, a smile, which can be gifted at will. A smile to frame words that will remain a confirmation of that projected towards you from a four year old's eyes. You become that reckless the gambler throwing all at the 1 in 5 chance your child's hand offers. You reject the prognosis without doubt, for the eyes of your child know no fear, never question. Those young, tranquil eyes never relinquish their promise in the future; never doubt your implicit vow.

Visit the funeral of a child who has fallen from the path. There you will hear of wonders and recognise, experience what has occurred, there is no sentimentality to such; merely a sober vista unknown to those sheltered from the violence of this storm.

 To do so is a gift of awakening for in their death you will be touch, blessed, by a reality acutely different to the everyday concern. You will see and understand the reality of love, too fleeting but of a beauty and strength that resets all previous notion of relevance. You will understand.

 And, today, there is nothing to change the destiny of the four.

But tomorrow we could make that change.

Neuroblastoma – the facts- No, the medical terms. 

Neuroblastoma is a solid tumor cancer that begins in the nerve tissue of the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis but usually originates in the abdomen in the tissue of the adrenal gland.


Neuroblastoma rapidly spreads through the body, making it difficult to treat. It usually affects children under 5 years old. Nearly 70% of those children first diagnosed, have a disease that has already metastasised or spread to other parts of the body. At this later stage (stage IV) it is recognised as "High-Risk". The average age at diagnosis is two years old.

Motivation 

We are the parents of a 6 year old boy who has lived with Neuroblastoma for 3 years. March 17th 2005 Jack found out why he hurt, why he wasn't eating, why he was cold and tired. It took 2 months to find out why he wouldn't walk, why his legs made him scream.

Anything that Jack has lived beyond doesn't matter; because it doesn't matter to Jack. Today is today and tomorrow is over. Dead twice over and the third occasion beckons….with a casual finger. That finger is what we are here to banish; maybe not for Jack but for all the other kids. Many of Jack's peers have left. The generation of children yet to know the name of their enemy rely upon us to champion their salvation.

Jack clings to his place as the fifth climber but the rock face becomes ever steeper and weariness threatens his hold.

Hope

Research is being conducted. There is no certain path, no one view but the doctors propagating the seeds of hope need our help. The seeds are already planted but in order that they reach maturity money is needed now.

WE can help them to help the children.