It all started in April 2023, when Sidney’s hand began to swell up. After X-rays to check for breaks came back clear, Sidney was sent for scans. The results came back half way through Sidney’s GCSE exams and we were hit with the devastating news that Sidney had a very rare and aggressive form of cancer called Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma - Stage 4! Exams stopped immediately and Sidney began a long period of intensive Chemotherapy. 

 We celebrated Sidney going into remission in January, only to be told a week later that a small piece remained in Sidney’s hand. The battle was back on! Sidney went straight into a 6 week radiotherapy programme in Nottingham, where Sidney was given the use of Billy’s House, to enable us to accompany them to the daily sessions. While the radiotherapy was successful in Sidney’s hand, further scans showed the cancer had spread to new sites.

 Sidney moved to London and recommenced Chemotherapy at UCLH followed by another 6 week period of radiotherapy, this time staying at Paul’s House.

 Sadly for Sidney and everyone who loved them, their cancer stopped responding to Chemotherapy and Sidney lost their very brave battle, 2 years and 2 days after diagnosis, aged just 18 years old.

 While the loss of Sidney is still very raw and our hearts are broken, we will be forever grateful to Young Lives vs Cancer for the time we were able to spend together at Billy’s House and Paul’s house, I just don’t know how we would have managed without the charity’s support. Travelling into London daily for treatment would have been so taxing on Sidneys energy levels, but being right across the road from UCLH meant Sidney was able to pop back for a rest (and us catch up on some remote working), in between appointments.

 Sidney’s loving family are on a mission to fundraise for Young Lives vs Cancer in Sidney’s name, to help future families like ours. So far, Sidney’s Uncle Lee has taken on a Skydive, raising over £2000 and will be embarking on the Camino Santiago 500 mile bike ride next year. Auntie Sarah and her friend Kieta will be climbing Snowdon in the dark in a few weeks time! We will also be suggesting donations to Sidney’s fund rather than funeral flowers, so the money can be put to good use.

Please support Sidney’s fund, it will mean the world to a family like ours 💛