Parents of brave Ross launch US funds drive

Published on Friday 27 November 2009 08:40

PARENTS of a toddler suffering from a rare form of cancer have launched a big fundraising appeal to take him to the United States for a revolutionary treatment.

In August, Andrew Anderton and Lesley Lauder, from Ormiston, East Lothian, were devastated when they were told 22-month old Ross had a tumour under his eye.

He was diagnosed with orbital rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the muscle tissue which affects fewer than 60 children a year - in August. Since then he has been undergoing gruelling chemotherapy at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

His parents have been told that the best chance for him is Proton Beam Therapy, a new treatment that is not yet available in the UK.

They are anxiously waiting to see if the NHS will agree to fund the cost, which is at least 120,000. If not, the family will have to raise around 300,000 to cover the cost, as well as travel, insurance and living costs for around two months while he is treated.

Even if the treatment is funded, they will still need to cover other expenses.

Mr Anderton said: "When we were told Ross had cancer, it was like the world falling apart, but we're grateful this is quite a curable cancer.

"We're kind of in limbo at the moment, because it's a fairly new treatment. We've only heard of two other children having it. I think we're going to have to re-mortgage the house to pay for it."

The family originally thought Ross had a blocked tear duct, and took him to their GP in June, but then they were referred to specialists, who diagnosed a cancerous tumour. The chemotherapy has reduced the growth, but Ross needs further treatment to remove it completely.

The family have been offered radiotherapy, but because he is so young this will leave him severely disfigured, and could affect his growth. Proton Beam Therapy is more accurate at targeting cancerous cells, reducing the effect on healthy tissue.

Mr Anderton added: "The problem with radiotherapy is it kills good cells as well as bad cells. We got a huge shock when we were told. The other choice was removing his eye - it's not really a choice at all.

"People can be very cruel. They will stare at him in the street. We have to be careful about taking him out. It could be very hard for him when he goes to school."

The family hope to take him to the US early next year. They have set up a trust fund to pay for the treatment. Friends, neighbours and colleagues have all rallied round, already raising 3500.

Family friend, Michelle Outerson, from Ormiston, has organised a party night at Macmerry Miners' Club on Friday 11 December to support the trust. She has also organised a sponsored fancy-dress walk the following day.

Mr Anderton said: "We've been astounded by how much people are helping. It's all been pretty short notice, but they have pulled out all the stops."

Ross is currently being treated in the Sick Kids, but Ms Lawder hopes to take him home today. She said: "It's very important he gets the treatment as soon as possible. The chemotherapy is making him very sick at the moment."

For more information, visit www.giverossa future.org.uk

PROTON BEAM THERAPY OFFERS FRESH HOPE

CANCER of the muscle tissue, called Rhabdomyosarcoma, is very rare, affecting fewer than 60 children in the UK a year.

In Ross's case it is in the orbit – the muscle between the eye and its bony socket.

Treatment options include surgery to remove the whole eye and socket, or radiotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells, but radiotherapy has many side effects, including increasing the chances of a second cancer later in life.

Proton beam therapy is a new type of treatment which offers a third option. It is similar to radiotherapy, but it's more effective at targeting cancer cells.