Sara Sims
Sara's Brighton Marathon Run - Let's get Felix to Philadelphia!
Fundraising for Solving Kids’ Cancer UK
Story
Well guys. It's done. I ran the Brighton Marathon for Felix. It was the hardest thing I have ever done but whilst I ran I kept thinking how incredibly difficult it is for Felix's family to live with his devastating illness every day. It kept me going. When I crossed the finish line I knew I had completed MY marathon journey but Felix and his family would still be continuing on with their journey to get Felix the antibody treatment he needs. I will be publishing the latest information on how Felix is doing on this site but you can also check it out on his site www.appealforfelix.com. If you haven't already donated or know someone who would like to please let them know about brave little FELIX. He deserves to get the treatment he needs and NOW!! Thanks a million for all your wonderful support. Sara xxx
On February 14th 2009 Felix, age 4, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a rare and very aggressive form of childhood cancer. He started complaining that his back hurt and two weeks later a large tumour stemming from his adrenal gland was discovered. The cancer had also spread to his bone marrow. Over the past 12 months, Felix has had 17 rounds of chemotherapy, surgery to remove the tumour, internal radiation and he is now undergoing high dose chemotherapy. This consists of a six day continuous infusion of intense chemotherapy which completely strips his bone marrow, followed by stem cell transplant to hopefully ‘re-boot’ his immune system and help combat all the painful side effects. What this also means is at least 4-6 weeks in hospital, away from his best friend and identical twin brother Elliot, and adored big sister Grace. Once he gets out of hospital, treatment does not let up. Neuroblastoma is extremely difficult to treat and has the devastating track record of coming back, so cure rates are low. Therefore, after high dose chemotherapy, Felix will then have 3 weeks of radiation, followed by immunotherapy for 5 months. It is for this latter stage that he needs your help. New ‘antibody’ treatment has become available and is showing success in keeping this type of cancer away and avoiding relapse. Unfortunately it is in very limited supply in the UK and the most successful antibody treatment is currently in the USA and costs £300,000. We are therefore raising money to send Felix to Philadelphia in June for a 5 month programme. This will give him the best possible chance of cure. Despite all the aggressive and invasive treatment so far, Felix has never once complained and has become a true living Power Ranger, blasting out all the baddies one minute and running like the wind on his favourite secret path forest walks the next. He has been such an amazing inspiration and teaches us all EVERYDAY the importance of truly and completely savouring the present moment. We want to give him many, many more days to keep teaching us. He deserves the best possible chance for cure, and hopefully with all of us pitching in together, he’ll get it. Any donation you can make toward getting Felix to America would be fantastic. Thank you For more information about Felix, his journey so far and other fundraising efforts click on http://www.appeal4felix.com
Please support my Run, and Felix, by Donating Now!
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So please dig deep and donate now. Let's get Felix to Philadelphia.
Visit his site here for updates on his progress