There can be no argument that the United States are years ahead when it comes to researching cancer. Even more so when it comes to childhood cancer. The reasons are obvious – different funding, with no social medicine system such as the NHS, and the vast population who demand such research.
Jack Brown was the first child to be supported by 2simpletrust, to fundraise for treatment for neuroblastoma not available in the UK. The fundraising was successful and Jack’s parents (both Metropolitan Police officers) initiated a new campaign to raise funds to bring the more promising therapies that were available in the U.S.,and elsewhere, back here to the United Kingdom.
Joining Against Cancer in Kids was established in 2008, supported by 2Simple Trust – in addition to bringing therapies to the UK, a further aim was to improve existing treatment protocols for children with neuroblastoma as well as research into new treatments for this devastating cancer. The initiative was supported by officers of the Metropolitan Police Service, and also by family and friends of Jack Brown.
By the end of 2009 the fund had raised sufficient resources to fund Dr Naomi Fersht under the supervision of Dr Mark Gaze to undertake a major research project at University College Hospitals NHS Trust in London. The project title is “Improving the outcomes for children with neuroblastoma through the optimisation of radiation treatments”. J-A-C-K has invested a massive £100,000 over the next three years into this important research which includes bringing Ultrace Mibg therapy to the UK. This mammoth feat happened with simple fundraising initiatives undertaken mainly by police officers and families of children with neuroblastoma. You too can make a difference.
Our aim continues:- In the UK there are currently no relapse protocols, despite the fact that over half the children diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma will relapse. This is very different in the States, where there are many, many different protocols which at the very least prolong the life in terms of years. More importantly, the U.S. have many children who have relapsed and been successfully treated and remain NED 6 years later. Our target for 2010 is to raise 200,000 to help fund relapse protocols in the United Kingdom.
Join us – help us make a difference.
