Hannah was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma after discovering a lump on her left clavicle / collar bone in Autumn 2017. Afters stays in Brighton Children's Hospital visits to Stanmore Hospital in Middlesex for scans and a biopsy well known as one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals and then the University College of London Hospital. All the visits were self funded, needing to stay overnight in nearby hotel when having scans etc in Stanmore as these were done early in the morning.

Treatment in the form of chemotherapy started very quickly, in the UCH London. Hannah's treatment plan is 14 sessions every two weeks and they alternate as follows: one session of 5 days - each day and through the night followed by 9 days at home then the next treatment is 2 days and home for 12 days and so it continues in this way. She has had her 8th session and will be going to UCH next week for 2 days for her 9th session. After some sessions, when her white and red blood cells are at lowest levels due to the chemo she has been in Brighton at The Alex with nasty side effects and two blood transfusions. During her times in hospital we take turns to stay with her in hospital allowing one of us to return home to Ben, Joe and Emily and also, with the help of family, friends, to go to work whenever possible.

This routine has been very tough on everyone, Hannah is amazing and so accepting of everything. She talks about many things as it is part of her life. She speaks of magic rides (in a pink MRI scanner) magic sleeps, and magic medicine (chemo). The teaching group at the UCH have been in touch with Rocks Park School to help with Hannah’s desire to learn, draw and write.

These hospital trips are funded by us of course allowing one parent to stay in with Hannah There are also extra trips to Brighton and UCLH for planning and further tests.

The next stage in the treatment is the Proton Beam Therapy not yet available here. We are currently in Essen in Germany with Hannah for planning her treatment. This is the latest therapy and is much more accurate and positive limiting damage to other organs which are all so close in young children. There is a lot of information on the internet. The treatment is necessary to shrink the tumour as much as possible before an operation back in the UK to remove the remainder of the tumour / whole collar bone. Following the operation there will be less support of the shoulder. This operation will be done at the Stanmore later - possibly June. The remaining 3 or so sessions of chemo will be given afterwards at the UCLH. The prognosis is positive and the medical professionals are going for cure but it is a long and tough road.

The Proton Beam therapy will be given daily Monday to Friday for 28 sessions (works out around 6 weeks in total). Amazingly the return flights and accommodation for parents and patient are funded by the NHS. We will be self-funding our living costs and transport outside of hospital visits whilst over there. With the rest of the family still at home we plan to take turns to return home for a 10 days or so and buy the extra flights and will also want Ben Joe and Emily to visit Hannah. This is so important for test of our children and particularly Hannah who misses them when she is away. She is already talking about Germany and that they can come and visit her as they have done when she has been in hospital over here the periods of separation is hard for them all.

17th April the proton beam therapy treatment commences. 28 sessions over 6 weeks. Each session, lasting approx 2 hours Monday to Friday, includes general anaesthetic, and 15 mins or so Proton Beam treatment. Hannah will need to fast for 6 hours prior. She will be treated as an outpatient, so there will be a lot of spare time. Extra transport and living expenses to be funded by us. Hannah will also have to continue her Chemotherapy whilst out there.

The Shore Group are supporting Hannah and her family during these difficult times and are carrying on numerous events such as our recent "Brave the Shave", our upcoming Golf event and many other fundraisers!!

Please help us raise as much as possible!