Family makes emotional plea for support as brave Theo, 5, faces battle against rare cancer
“Theo should be enjoying the simple joys of childhood – instead, he is facing the fight of his life”
A five-year-old boy is battling the fight of his life after being diagnosed with a rare cancer.
Theo Lock, from Thornton, is undergoing an arduous programme of chemotherapy in a bid to overcome neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nerve cells especially prevalent in children but which affects just 83 a year in the UK.
The first sign of the problem came late last year when Theo started having pains in his legs.
Growing pains and even severe constipation were initially suggested as the causes, but as the pains got worse and Theo’s movement began to be restricted, tests revealed a mass on a kidney and neuroblastoma was diagnosed.
Now, Theo’s mum Jess spends all day and night by his bedside at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital as he undergoes chemotherapy treatment, which is likely to last up to 18 months.
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Family members have set up a Go Fund Me page in a bid to help out Jess and have thanked people for their generosity as they have raised more than two thirds of the £30,000 target.
Theo’s aunt Poppy Lock, who set up the appeal, said: “Our family has been left completely devastated.
“Theo turned five in hospital last month and at that age, he should be enjoying the simple joys of childhood – playing with his toys, making memories and dreaming about the future.
“Instead, he is facing the fight of his life through intensive treatment and long hospital stays.
“By the time Theo was diagnosed, the cancer had already progressed to stage 4, meaning it had spread to other parts of his body.
“It is every parent's worst nightmare. Theo's parents are doing everything they can to stay strong for their little boy while navigating the emotional and financial strain that comes with caring for a child with cancer.
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“Theo’s cancer is in his skull, shoulders, chest, hip bones, thigh bones and the main big tumour is above his kidney.
“It has also spread into his bone marrow all over his body, a rare and aggressive high risk cancer.
“This has been an incredibly hard and upsetting time for our family and we are all still in shock.
“From being admitted to hospital for suspected constipation and then a cyst on his hip, has turned into this horrendous and unexpected diagnosis.
“Theo has faced his battle with nothing but courage and bravery and continues to show us all how strong and resilient he is.
“He’s undergone more scans, tests and biopsies than anyone I know and faced it all with such strength, we are so proud of him.
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“Not forgetting his amazing mum Jess, who has been by his side for every single second and has been his absolute strength - we are all so proud of her too.
“As Theo endures treatment for the next year and more, Jess is naturally unable to work and any funds raised will go towards travel costs, food, accommodation, support and anything else needed to support Theo during this horrendous nightmare.
“The kindness and generosity shown so far has touched our hearts and made such an impact, but we just want Theo to be better.”
The Go Fund Me appeal is at www.gofundme.com/f/four-year-old-theo-with-stage-four-cancer