A ‘one-in-a-billion’ toddler battling cancer has inspired his auntie to run the London Marathon to boost the charity supporting him.
Sophie Jones, from Ottery, wants to raise £2,000 for CLIC Sargent, which has provided emotional and medical support for her family after Henry Dunn was diagnosed with two types of cancer last year.
The two-year-old’s treatment is made harder by the fact he has Costello syndrome, a rare disorder that affects around 400 people in the world and leaves him susceptible to cancer.
Henry was born prematurely at 26 weeks, weighing 1lb 7ozs. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in August last year after his mum Lauren discovered a lump in his testes area. After 22 weeks of chemotherapy he is now in remission.
Then, in October, doctors discovered that Henry had stage two hepatoblastoma and believe he is the first ‘Costello child’ in the world to have liver cancer.
The family are currently waiting to learn what treatment Henry might undergo and want to raise money for CLIC so the charity can continue working with families like them.
Sophie, of Hillcrest, said: “I cannot make it better, but what I can do is help the people who have helped Henry, Laura and James. CLIC Sargent have been amazing.
“There are so many people it impacts. You never think it’s going to impact on your family. Seeing how fantastic the people who are helping Henry were, I thought if Henry can do what he is doing, I think I can put one foot in front of the other.
“We may get help for years to come or the next six months, we do not know, but if we can give to CLIC to help other people, that will mean a lot.”
Henry, a fan of Tina Turner and the Spice Girls, lives with mum Lauren and dad James in Cranbrook.
Lauren, 30, said: “We have to have some level of normality after what we have been through with Henry - the ventilations, sitting in ICU, a couple of cardiac arrests. We are lucky to have him here, let alone another year. He is very determined, he is a cheeky boy.
“He really does love life and we want to go out and do things and make memories. You always want your children to have things and we do not want to miss the opportunity.”
Sophie and Lauren are running a cake sale on Sunday, March 4, between 1pm and 4pm at 5 Tremlett Meadows, Cranbrook.
You can donate to Sophie’s online page by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sophie-jones1985
You can also text their donation by texting MRSJ49 to 70070 followed by the donation amount.
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