Jack's Story
In March 2026, our son Jack was diagnosed with B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He has spent nearly every day of the past three months in the hospital, including over two weeks in the PICU.
Despite these immense challenges, Jack remains the bravest and most positive boy, bringing a smile to everyone he meets. He always thinks of others. Within weeks of his diagnosis, Jack wanted to turn a negative into a positive and started fundraising for Young Lives Vs Cancer. To date, he has raised over £7,000 and received a letter from His Majesty King Charles for his bravery and positive approach, but he still wants to do more. That's why we are setting up this page in Jack's name: so we can all be more like Jack; more positive, more giving, able to find the good in any situation, no matter how hard it is, and dedicated to making the world a better place.
Our Story:
From the moment of Jack's diagnosis, Young Lives Vs Cancer was there for us. I will never forget the day we received the news that no parent ever wants to hear. While playing a game in PE at school, Jack started to feel dizzy and breathless. We rushed him to A&E, where an ambulance quickly transported him to QMC in Nottingham; his white blood count was over 100.
I remember meeting Kirsty the day after we arrived at the hospital. My husband stayed with Jack and I wanted to stay nearby with Jack's sister, as we live almost an hour away. Kirsty organised hotels for us when my brain couldn't function and my eyes couldn't contain their tears and she organised a room for us at Billy's House shortly afterwards. Billy's House has been a lifeline for us ever since, providing our family with a space to sleep when we needed to stay near, a place to shower on nights we couldn't leave Jack's bedside, a warm homely space to play as a family on the days Jack is well enough to leave the hospital and just last weekend a kitchen where Jack made all the nurses on the ward a delicious Biscoff cheesecake.
We are eternally grateful to Young Lives vs Cancer for their continued support as Jack continues his battle. For being a friendly face on the good days and a shoulder to cry on during the bad ones.