Thank you so much for visiting our fundraising page!

We are running the London marathon on Sunday, 13th April 2008, in aid of Jacob Marsland. Jacob is a five year old boy, who is very dear to our hearts. Both our children, Eleanor and Joshua, have known Jacob since the age of 5 months and were friends throughout the nursery.

In March 2007, Anthony and Nicki, received the worse news a parent could ever receive. Their son, Jacob, had a very rare form of cancer, called neuroblastoma. Eight months later, Jacob has received the most intensive chemotherapy available in the UK. On February, 14th, Valentines day, Jacob was operated on. After a complicated 7 hour surgery (the tumour had attached itself to the spine), the primary tumour was removed. For the 1st time in months, Anthony and Nicky received some good news. Tests showed that Jacob's bone marrow was free from cancer. As a result some more treatment is now available in the UK. Jacob is at home at the moment, but will soon be back at Alder Hey (17th March) where he will receive more treatment. This treatment will require him to be in isolation for 2 months. The treatment will involve high dose of chemotherapy and will be very intense...Despite the good news, Jacob's chances of survival are still very low. His fight continues and so does the prospect of America. If the treatment in the UK is unsuccesfull or if the cancer returns (there is a 70% chance it will...), the only possible treatment that remains will be in the USA, in the "Memorial Sloan-Kettering Children's Cancer Centre" (MSKC). The cost of this treatment is a minimun of £250 000 and will involve the family relocating to America for one year.

Despite all this, Jacob remains brave. He is an amazing boy who always has a smile on his face... "To know him is to love him"... (honestly!)

Jacob has been given a 20% chance of survival but we will go for that! Neither of us have ever run a marathon, but whether we will run, walk or crawl the route... for Jacob we will do anything.

So please dig deep.... Give Anthony, Nicky and Ben (Jacob's little brother), "Jacob" and give Jacob "Life".... He deserves it!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: The 2Simple Trust - Jacob Marsland Appeal will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks for your support. Lots of love, Rachel and DeborahX