THE devastated family of a youngster struck with leukaemia for the third time in just six years have been left “humbled” after their fundraised reached £23,000 in just two days.
Gene Pearce Jones was first diagnosed with the cancer in 2018 when he was just three years old, and after a gruelling battle, entered remission just over three years later.
However, the disease has since returned twice, with Gene’s current relapse meaning that the nine-year-old now needs to travel to Newcastle to undergo T-Cell treatment (CAR-T) – which will require the family to relocate for approximately six months.
Hoping to help raise money to support the Swansea family in their fight, Gene’s uncle Matthew Higman set up a fundraiser on Monday with the goal of reaching £20,000.
Gene’s mother, Sarah Jones, wrote in the description: “Gene Pearce Jones, our beautiful boy. You are so brave, smart, funny, caring and thoughtful.
“When you were first diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2018 you were only three years old.
“Your little body was full with it. We thought it was the end, but you fought for three and a half years.
“You fought to walk again, you endured surgery after surgery, needles, tablets, sickness, toxic chemotherapy and missing out on so much ‘normal’ life.
“We were so proud of you ringing that bell three and a half years later. It broke our hearts when it came back again six months later, aged only seven.
“We knew you were devastated as much as we were, but you fought again for another two years.
“You fought through it all again – more surgery, more needles, more tablets, more sickness, more toxic chemotherapy and missing out on even more ‘normal’ life.
“When you rang the bell for the second time, we hoped so much that this would be enough, and you would be free to live your young life.
“Now, it has come back the third time – ‘I don’t deserve this’ – you said to the doctor in tears. You are only nine years old, it breaks our hearts.
“We are so sorry you have to go through yet more pain and suffering but we promise to be strong with you and endure whatever comes our way.
“We promise to still laugh with you and be silly with you. We promise to continue to nurture and comfort you through the times of sadness and hardship and always look for the small seeds of joy in the pain.
“We promise we will continue to listen and understand your feelings, your wants and desires and honour your decisions, your thoughts and expressions with trust and respect.
“We don’t know what this next journey is going to bring and what scars will be left but we will keep holding you and your sister and each other through it.
“With help from everyone who loves you we are going to do everything we can for you our beautiful boy. We love you with all our hearts. Mummy, daddy and Ina.”
Matthew added in the description: “After six years of chemotherapy for ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia) at his nearest, specialist children’s hospital in Cardiff, the family are devastated that Gene has relapsed for the second time.
“The nature of his relapse is rare and the more the disease persists the harder it is to treat.
“The family stays hopeful that one day he will be cured from Leukaemia as new treatments roll out.
“He is due to start a course of CAR-T, a new, more specialised treatment in the next few weeks.
“This means Gene and his family must travel to the other side of the country from their home in Swansea, to Newcastle.
“The treatment may last more than two years (if maintenance chemotherapy is required), with the first 3-6 months requiring relocation to Newcastle for the CAR-T therapy.
“The GoFundMe goal will help support the wellbeing, living and travel costs for Gene and his family during the first six months between Newcastle, Cardiff and Swansea as well as supporting them through any ongoing treatment that will be required after the initial six-month period.
“Gene’s parents are self-employed and will be largely unable to work during this time as they need to be there for Gene and his sister throughout this next unknown journey.
“There has been and will continue to be amazing help from various charities, but grants are understandably limited and the family has found financial survival during the last six years extremely challenging.
“They hope that the GoFundMe goal will help alleviate some of this strain to allow them to focus on helping Gene and his sister through this next battle.
“The family haven’t sought crowdfunding during previous rounds of treatment but feel that this time the disruption and uncertainty will be so great that they need to ask for further help.
“Gene and his family fully understand that many of you will already be struggling with your own cost of living, and we do not wish to make anyone feel obligated in any way.
“They thank you all for your love and solidarity in whatever form that may take.”
Many were quick to share their support for the family.
Sebastian Bayley-Lyon wrote: “I can’t begin imagine what you have all been through and what a strong young man Gene is. An inspiration to us all.”
Vanessa Segurado said: “Wish you all the greatest strength and family cosiness in this challenge. Warm support from Portugal.”
Stacey Howells commented: “Thinking of you all. Love and strength during this horrendous time.”
Melanie Scaffold added: “Sending huge love for strength and recovery.”
Incredibly, in just two days, the fundraiser has reached a whopping £23,000 at the time of writing.
The family wrote in an update yesterday: “Thank you all so much for the overwhelming kindness and generosity you have all shared with our family, we are stunned.
“We feel so humbled and supported by you all and this helps free us to focus on looking after Gene, his sister Ina and each other during this upsetting time.
“The amazing doctors and nurses at Cardiff Children’s Hospital are managing Gene’s condition and liaising with Newcastle this week to get Gene admitted ASAP for the first stage of CAR-T treatment, hopefully as soon as next week.
“We will keep you all updated with his progress as and when we can. Just want to thank you all again for so much love and support.
“Love Sar, Eifion, Gene and Ina.”
To donate to the fundraiser, you can visit this link: https://gofund.me/78404136
