A DEVASTATED family has issued an urgent appeal for donations in a Coventry boy’s battle against a rare form of cancer.
Ben Crowther, aged seven, was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in June last year.
Despite making progress and battling against gruelling chemotherapy Ben’s family was told this month that his treatment was not working and the cancer had returned.
The survival rates for Ben’s cancer are very low and he has since become the face of a fundraising drive so that more research can be undertaken to save lives in the future.
Ben’s beaming photo is used on the ‘Pass the Smile’ campaign page by charity Children’s Cancer and Leukemia Group.
His mum Sarah Crowther of Earlsdon, Coventry, posted on Facebook on Sunday (April 28) a photo and an accompanying message.
It states: “This is our beautiful boy, Ben.
“This photo was taken a few days ago and just 30 minutes after he and his brothers were told that his cancer treatment wasn’t working. Kids are truly amazing.
“This is the devastating news that as parents we have been carrying since early April.
“Ben’s progress scan on April 1 revealed that he had relapsed.
“Treatment options for relapsed Rhabdomyosarcoma are incredibly limited.
“We live in hope but the outlook is bleak. Outcomes for this cancer type has not progressed in 40 years.
“We are now fundraising to directly support Ben as we tackle the next chapter in his amazing life.
“This might include additional testing, supplements and travel for treatment not available on the NHS.
“Please hold Ben and all of us in your hearts as we continue on our way through this.
“Never give up. Never.”
Ben’s family has set up a GoFundMe page which has already raised about £9,000 of a £50,000 target.
The Pass the Smile campaign is a special named fund named in Ben’s honour and on the page his parents state: “Treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma has not advanced for decades and survival rates are shockingly poor.
“As his parents, we believe it shouldn’t be like this and more research into better, kinder, targeted treatments is desperately needed. In Ben’s name we want to fundraise to try and help achieve this.”
To donate go to https://www.gofundme.com/PasstheSmileforBen
Or instead go to www.cclg.org.uk/pass-the-smile-for-ben
