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

In January 2013 my close friends Helen and Mark's lives were changed overnight when their son, Joseph (aged 6), was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk Neuroblastoma. 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. 

Joseph is currently receiving fantastic frontline treatment at the Leeds General Infirmary and has already endured numerous treatments and procedures which include: major surgery to remove his primary tumour which was wrapped around one of his kidneys, high dose chemo and stem cell harvest to grow new bone marrow. This has involved numerous hospital visits including 2 months in isolation.

The treatment to date has been a success. The next stage is radiotherapy followed by 6 months of immunotherapy to try and help his body fight against any neuroblastoma cells that may still be in his body as relapse rates are high.

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 Childrens Cancer Alliance UK because they will help Joseph if he needs a clinical treatment that is only available abroad. 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 them.

I am hoping 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 Childrens Cancer 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.

My wife completed the York 10km run on 4 August and my 2 boys completed the 1.5km run on the same day to raise money for Joseph. My 2 boys go to school with Joseph and it is heartbreaking watching what he is going through but he takes it all in his stride with a smile on his face. Seeing my wife doing her bit has spurred me into making an effort.

I am abseiling 140ft down the face of our office building which will take me back to my childhood when I was a cub scout with no fear.  

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 

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So please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you

Simon Brompton