With the blessing of Callum and his parents, I am raising funds to help ease the financial burden of Cancer. Cancer doesn’t care who you are, what your age or stage of life is and comes with huge, emotional, physical and financial burdens.

Please read Callum’s story and keep in mind that someone is diagnosed with Blood Cancer in the UK every 20 Minutes.

It could be you, your child, family member or friend.

Callum was given the devastating, life changing diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leaukemia on the 31st May 2017.

He was only 16 and in the middle of his GCSE’s. A cancer diagnosis at any age is terrifying but for young people the impact is immense. Their education, friendships, mental health, self esteem amoungst other things are all impacted.

Not to mention the impact on the family! His mum Rachel has been physically by his side through every step. His Dad has been working to keep the family afloat financially whilst supporting his wife and son’s emotionally. Callum’s brother has been quietly in the background watching on.

So May 2017 Callum began a programe of Chemotherapy which would last 9 months.

The Chemo is intense and gruelling. The side effects are debilitating. Long periods of time in hospital and frequent visits to clinic when not, all took it’s toll on him and his family.

When the initial intense Chemotherapy came to an end, he began what’s known as the ‘Maintenance Stage’. This is a long term phase of treatment given to prevent relapse. This stage of Callum’s treatment was fairly trouble free and things were looking positive.

However, a routine visit to the opticians in January 2020 resulted in the devastating news that Callum’s Leaukemia had relapsed. The relapse was detected in his CNS, or fluid that flows through the Spine and Brain.

Initial diagnosis is horrific. Imagine though, having gone through all the above, knowing what’s to come, even more intensely. How terrifying.

Callum entered into three more blocks of intense Chemotherapy. All of the side effects he’d experienced before knocked him for six. And then he developed Pneumonia. This was a scary time, he was so unwell.

Callum also experienced three large Seizures all within 48 hours. This was as a result of something called Immunereconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).  He continues to take Anti-Seizure medication for this today.

Eventually Callum was back into remission and the plan was for him to have a Stem Cell Transplant. After the Anthony Nolan team searched the Stem Cell Register for a match, a male donor from Germany was identified.

Callum spent a week prior to receiving his transplant having what’s known as ‘Work up’ treatment. This involves 8 sessions (twice daily for 4 days) Total Body Radiotherapy and high doses of Chemotherapy. This is to completely irradiate the donor recipients bone marrow ready to receive the transplant. It’s tough and comes with the risk of serious long term side effects, including secondary Cancers.

Callum’s Transplant took place in June 2020.

Everything seemed to be going well, until Callum noticed more regular headaches. A Lumbar Puncture was done in December 2020  and on New Years Eve morning it was confirmed that he’s relapsed again in his CSF.

Callum’s being recieving spine Chemotherapy via a needle into the spine called an Intrathecal. This is a painful procedure, but it was successful in getting Callum back into remission.

The situation is that these Intrethecals are keeping Callum’s cancer at bay. But this won’t last.

In these circumstances the next go to treatment would be Car-T Cell Therapy.

But, because of the nature of Callum’s relapses he doesn’t meet the criteria so isn’t eligible. The only option was to seek out a Trial.

Thankfully, Callum has been accepted onto the University College Hospital London CARPALL CAR T Cell Therapy Trial.

This is amazing news, it gives hope.

So the Trial isn’t NHS Funded (of course it isn’t! That would be far to simple)

But again, thankfully it is funded by the following charities;

•Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity

•Children with Cancer UK

•The JP Moulton Foundation

•Autolus

And it’s sponsored by-

•University College London and run by Cancer •Research UK & UCL Cancer Trials Centre, London

Should this funding not have been available the family would be looking to raise £500,000!!

Callum’s being monitored very closely by the team at the QE and recieving regular spinal Chemo with high doses of Steriods. With the process of preparing for the Transplant beginning in London in April.

Whilst thankfully the Treatment costs are being covered, there are other significant costs which are not.

Callum and Rachel will need to Travel regularly to London, some 200 mile round trip. Rachel will need to stay somewhere close by. It’s unlikely she can stay with him on the ward because of Covid restrictions. Callum hates hospital food (who can blame him) but keeping his nutrition up will be vital, so convenience food costs at London Prices will be extortionate.

Up until now Callum’s parents have managed financially. This next stage however is too much to manage without any help.

If you’re able please give what you can to help

If we manage to raise a substantial amount, and after this next stage of treatment is complete. Any money remaining will be spent on some well deserved treats for our superstar Callum.

My goodness he deserves it!

Thank you ❤️