Myself, Brian Foulger and other members of the Middlesbrough Fostering Team and Foster Carers are hiking from Middlesbrough to Whitby on the 13th of July 2019 to help raise money towards the £150,000 cost of sending Ruby George abroad for Neuroblastoma treatment. (words below are courtesy of Ruby's loving parents who can describe this far better than I ever could)

Ruby is a 2 year old little girl, who was diagnosed in December 2018 with a type of cancer called High Risk Neuroblastoma. A large (12cm) tumour was found in her abdomen, and after many tests, biopsy's and MRI scans, a decision to start an intensive treatment protocol was made.

She started intensive Chemotherapy, which she has every 10 days. This is not the end of the journey for Ruby however. She has 18 months worth of treatment ahead of her, with stem cell transplants, a period of very high dose chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. Following this, Ruby will need to travel abroad to have further treatment, and thats the part we need your help with!

Neuroblastoma is rare and very aggressive form of childhood cancer, and is notoriously difficult to treat, due to its fast growing nature and very high chances of relapse. Approximately 50-60% of kids do relapse, and then less than 1 in 10 make it through. Unfortunately Ruby has a genetic variation, called MYCN amplification which shows an overall very poor prognosis of a 30% survival rate.

The follow up treatment abroad, is designed to reduce her chances of relapsing, and would significantly increase her chances of survival. This treatment is only available in the US, but is showing very promising results in children with the same diagnosis as little Ruby.

Thankyou for taking the time to read this, and a huge thankyou for those that are able to support this little girl on her journey to kicking this cancer's butt!