Training going well. Completed just over 10km tonight so know I can complete the distance. Boys are also very excited for their mini run.

Please help my family support this charity and take the time to read why I am doing this. 

On 4 August firstly I will take part in the 10km race and then after my boys, Joshua (7) and Oliver (5) will, accompanied by their Dad, take part in the mini run which is 1.5km. It is the first time any of us have taken part in a race. For those that don't know me I have never been a runner and am currently taking part in a beginners running group so that I can complete this. 

Joseph, who is 5 years old, is my best friends son and goes to school with my boys. I like everyone else was devastated when Joseph was diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma in January this year. His whole life changed overnight. He amazes me every time I see him. He just takes it in his stride all the medication, procedures etc he is having to to go through. Joseph is currently receiving frontline treatment at the Leeds General Infirmary. 

Joseph has already endured 80 days of treatment up to this point. The next step of Joseph's treatment is to have a stem cell harvest followed by a major operation to remove his primary tumour which is wrapped around one of his kidneys, during which the kidney will be removed too. This operation will take approx 8 hours as they try to remove as much as possible. After this he will start high dose chemo which will hopefully destroy any neuroblastoma cells that are still in his body. This process will mean Joseph has to stay in isolation while his body tries to recover and hopefully the stem cells will be put back in his body and build back his bone marrow. After that there will be more treatment to prevent the disease from returning. 

Neuroblastoma is a rare and very aggressive childhood cancer. It causes 15% of childhood cancer deaths and two children are diagnosed every week in the UK. Unfortunately, long term survival for children with high risk neuroblastoma is less than half the average rate for other childhood cancer and relapse rates are high.

Despite Neuroblastoma being “high risk” there is no Protocol in the UK for relapse neuroblastoma if treatment is needed. More often than not children and their families are required to raise money for treatment in either Europe or the United States. I hope that Joseph will not require such treatment and will be cured of this dreadful disease.

I am fundraising for the Neuroblastoma Alliance UK because they will help Joseph if he can’t join the UK trials, or if he needs a clinical treatment that is only available abroad. Joseph has a long road ahead of him before remission but I would like to fundraise on behalf of children like Joseph with The Neuroblastoma Alliance UK. The charity helps children if they can't join UK trials or if they need a clinical treatment that is only available abroad. To date, they have enabled 21 children to access the potentially life-saving clinical treatment abroad they needed and have funded ground-breaking neuroblastoma research. They also support families and Helen and Mark are assured that if they need their help at any stage or in the future they will fully support us.

I am praying that Joseph’s frontline treatment is a success and that he won’t need any further treatment. Should Joseph not require such treatments any funds raised will go directly to The Neuroblastoma Alliance UK to help fund children who do need further treatment. In addition,  the funds will aid the research and development of new and improved treatment of this childhood cancer.

To make this race even more special 4 August is actually Joseph's birthday so it felt appropriate to raise money for him on his special day.

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Thank you

The Bromptons