On 20th April 2011, Corey was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma. A rare childrens cancer that is aggressive and harder to treat than other cancers.
Corey had an abdominal tumour that had grown very quickly to such a size that it was pushing his vital organs out, creating a huge mass protruding fom his stomach.
Corey responded well to induction chemotherapy treatment at Manchester Childrens Hospital, and is now recovering from surgery. The next stage of treatment for Corey is high dose chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. Corey will be in isolation for up to 8 weeks, whilst receiving high dose chemotherapy.
Corey has had to endure a lot in the last 2 months; including daily medicines, painful surgery, chemotherapy which makes him sick and weak, being fed through a nose tube and spending a lot of time in hospital. Corey is a fighter and despite all of the above he is doing well.
Coreys full treatment plan will involve him being hospitalised for the best part of 12 months. He faces the risk of infections, constant medication and short and long term side effects. The relapse rate for this type of cancer is high. Immunotherapy treatment targets minimal residual disease, thereby reducing relapse rates.
We are raising money to send Corey to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Given the larger population, America is better prepared to deal with this type of cancer that only affects 80-100 people each year, here in the UK. Extensive research has shown that Corey has an improved chance of survival by receiving all immunotherapy drugs as per a proven trial. This is, as opposed to the randomised trial offered in the UK, which withholds proven drugs. It is going to cost over £200,000 to ensure Corey is given the best treatment available; a huge amount of money.
Please take our word that he is worth every penny and more.
If you can help, please help. Even a little can help a lot.
Thank you
PS We are working with other families and charities to try to change the situation for future families. We believe all children in the UK should be able to access the best frontline and relapse treatment for high risk neuroblastoma.
