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2Simple Trust - J.A.C.K. Foundation Registered charity number 1113954 J-A-C-K: Joining Against Cancer in Kids
Jack brown was a the son of two Metropolitan Police Officers Jack had fought a long hard battle, at the end of which
he remained a happy and loving child Jack was originally treated in the UK but his best possible chance was treatment in Sloane Kettering
Hospital New York. Treating Jack was expensive and from the time Jack was diagnosed, Police Officers and others fought to raise the
monies to keep Jack and his parents Yvonne and Richard in the US to give Jack the best chance possible. They did in many ways; the website www.jackbrownappeal.org and /www.j-a-c-k.org shows how people worked and fought to raise funds give Jack a chance to fight this terrible childhood cancer. The charity
supported other children and parents who have had this terrible Cancer enter their lives. Although Jack died on 2nd May 2009, the end of May saw 72 Police Officers
from the Metropolitan Police, British Transport. Community Support Officers, Special Constables + a Vicar and Street Pastors
travel to New York at their own cost, to complete a 18 Mile a day run or cycle, over 2 days (that is 36 miles a Marathon and
Half) around Central Park New York, all sad in the knowledge that Jacks’ fight had come to an end,
but knowing the Charity J-A-C-K (Joining Against Cancer in Kids) would work to help families with children who are suffering
this dreadful Cancer By the end of 2009 the fund had raised sufficient resources
to fund Dr Naomi Fersht under the supervision of Dr Mark Gaze to undertake a major research project at University College
Hospitals NHS Trust in London. The project title is “Improving the outcomes for
children with Neuroblastoma through the optimisation of radiation treatments”. J-A-C-K has invested a massive £100,000
over the next three years into this important research which includes bringing Ultrace Mibg therapy to the UK. This mammoth feat happened with simple fundraising initiatives undertaken mainly by police officers,
supporters and families of children with Neuroblastoma. Again this year On
May 20th 2010 another team 84 strong
will travel with the same endeavor… Our target for 2010 is to raise 200,000
Join us – help us make a difference Your kind donation will bring this
dream closer, and will ensure Jack did not die in vain. Neuroblastoma
–. Neuroblastoma is a solid tumor cancer that begins in the nerve tissue of the neck, chest, abdomen,
or pelvis but usually originates in the abdomen in the tissue of the adrenal glandsNeuroblastoma rapidly spreads through the body, making it difficult to treat. It
usually affects children under 5 years old. Nearly 70% of those children first diagnosed, have a disease that has already
metastasised or spread to other parts of the body. At this later stage (stage IV) it is recognised as "High-Risk".
The average age at diagnosis is two years old. (http://www.j-a-c-k.org/)
The final words I will leave to Yvonne and Richard Brown the proud parents of Connor, Rhian and of course Jack Joining Against Cancer in Kids arose from
the battle our son fought against a rare form of pediatric cancer; stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Jack was diagnosed with the illness
at 3 ½ years old. He spent a year in various London hospitals including Great Ormond Street
and University College Hospital. Jack undertook multiple rounds of chemotherapy; radiation; surgeries and periods in isolation due to radioactivity,
isolated from even his parents. He never flinched nor lost his character and ability to laugh and sponsor laughter in others.
But having survived the first 12 months we were left with two bleak facts: Jack had beaten the disease but
his life; his future was determined as being 20%.If the cancer
became active again there were no further treatments available in the UK.These two bitter facts caused us,
his parents, to look outside the NHS and to discover that in the USA the prospects and prognosis were brighter – a raft of additional therapies and trials were being used to save
children’s lives.We travelled to New York and spent a year living in Manhattan. Jack’s journey was never smooth but regardless of the challenge, he spread love and hope
amongst all he met. Jack took part in pioneering trials involving antibody therapy and brain surgery. We met many other children
who were able to live and laugh like Jack regardless of the cancer’s cruelty. Jack spent another
year in treatment in Vermont – Jack
lived a full life and gave infinitely more than he ever took. Jack held our hands; his family; his friends; doctors; nurses
and supporters – he held us all. Jack died May 2009 aged 7 – his life was such a wonderful gift and we miss him
more than any words can say. Jack was lucky; he was able to travel and we were able to raise the hundreds of thousands of pounds
necessary to give us a foot in the door of the American institutions. Many of Jack’s peers and their parents cannot
raise the money and the future rests upon the limited options available in the NHS.The UK still lags behind where the
USA forges ahead. But there are doctors here
in the UK who worked with Jack and who desperately
want to be able to afford the give children here the same chance.As
a result of the endeavors of J-A-C-K stalwarts, money has been raised to benefit the work of UCHL and Dr Mark Gaze –
Dr Gaze will use money raised thus far to appoint a senior dedicate doctor with a specific role; to introduce one of the promising
new drugs from America and provide it to children. The available
money is ONLY barely sufficient to begin the process on starting one trial! We desperately need to obtain more funds to ensure
the success of the project and help other children Like Jack.
Richard
Brown What is Neuroblastoma (medical version) (www.nsoc.co.uk)www.jackbrownappeal.org www.j-a-c-k.org This appeal is run in association with 3-4 Sentinel Square
London NW4 2EL
020 8203 0104 www.2simpletrust.org Registered Charity No 1113954
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