Solving Kids’ Cancer UK

Seraph Cullen's Journey

If Seraph is accepted onto the vaccine clinical trial in New York he will access the treatment in June. His family are continuing to fundraise in case he needs any further treatment that is not available on the NHS.
£44,056
raised
by 3089 supporters
RCN 1135601

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Story

Seraph is an extremely cheeky little monkey, as many four-year-old children are. He likes dinosaurs, Lego, Minecraft, and giggling like an idiot. Most of all though, he loves his big brother, Logan.

Seraph also has high-risk neuroblastoma an aggressive childhood cancer, with only a 40% chance of surviving the next five years.

He's been through so much in the way of treatment already. His family hope he will finish immunotherapy in May 2019 and show no evidence of disease.

Yet if Seraph relapses his long-term survival chances will drop dramatically to less than 1 in 10. His parents appealed for your help to fundraise for further treatment, a vaccine in New York that they believe can reduce the chances of his cancer coming back. Thanks to your help they reached their £237,000 target!

If Seraph is accepted onto the vaccine clinical trial in New York he will access the treatment in June. His family are continuing to fundraise in case he needs any further treatment that is not available on the NHS.

Seraphs gift is to make people laugh. Its this gift that keeps us going, says mum, Cass.

Seraph's neuroblastoma story

In 2017, he was a just normal three-year-old, finding his feet at nursery, making new friends, and climbing on everything!

One night, just before Christmas, he fell out of his cot and broke his arm. "Just our luck, we thought. Not knowing what was to come," says Cass. "Over Christmas, he still seemed in a lot of pain, so we returned to hospital. "

An exploratory ultrasound revealed a tumour in his abdomen and further investigation showed the cancer was in his skeleton and bone marrow.

"The broken arm had very much been 'a lucky break'. When they said the word, cancer, I just went numb. We still can't believe it's happening to our little boy. "

Treatment

In the year since Seraph was diagnosed, he has been through so much. He's had surgery, three different types of chemotherapy (which has left him with long-term side-effects like hearing loss), stem cell transplant (which had him in isolation for a month, and in hospital for two) and radiotherapy.

"He was the first child at Addenbrookes to undergo five weeks of radiotherapy for this disease, and did each day without general anaesthetic, which were told is unusual for a child so young," says Cass.

Fighting to be able to play

"Its hard to cope day-to-day, but we try to take our lead from him. He's very much less worry more play! "

"His main concern has always been how soon he can get out into the hospital garden to play Power Rangers. During each treatment, he fights to get back out there. He's our inspiration, and we owe it to him to fight just as hard. "

Seraph's fundraising campaign

Seraphs family are continuing to fundraise in case he needs any further treatment that is not available on the NHS.

"Logan is our moon. Seraph is our sun. I honestly don't know what we'd do without him. Every child deserves a full and happy life, and we need both our children to shine," says Cass.

How you can help

There are many ways you can help Seraph: by making a personal donation; holding a fundraising event; getting sponsored to take on a challenge; or simply by following and sharing Seraph's story through his Facebook page, Twitter profile or by following @teamsuperseraph on Instagram.

To donate by text, send SERAPH followed by any whole amount up to £20 to 70085. This will cost your donation plus your standard network charge. It wont matter if you leave a space before the number, if you include a £ sign or whether you use upper or lower case.

If you'd like to help supporting Seraph's campaign, please get in touch with the fundraising team on 0207 284 0800 and fundraising@solvingkidscancer.org.uk.

About the charity

Donations are paid into Solving Kids' Cancer’s general funds for our charitable activities. We help families affected by neuroblastoma through the provision of support and information; as well as investing in research and advocating for access to better treatment

Donation summary

Total raised
£44,055.21
+ £6,919.21 Gift Aid
Online donations
£42,860.21
Offline donations
£0.00
Direct donations
£999.50
Donations via fundraisers
£43,055.71

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