THE family of a toddler with aggressive cancer is making an urgent appeal for fundraisers to help them reach their target by May to get a potentially lifesaving medical treatment.
Rocco Troiano’s family has enlisted the help of The Bradley Lowery Foundation to raise £230,000 to enable the poorly tot access to a pioneering new treatment which is currently available only in North America, to help reduce his risk of relapse.
However, he must receive this vaccination soon after the completion of frontline treatment in order for it to be effective.
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Frontline treatment includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy, operations and antibody treatments.
Rocco, three, from Jesmond, Newcastle was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma last February, and has been undergoing intensive chemotherapy at Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Results have been positive, and he has responded well to treatment, however the relapse rate for this cancer is high.
Together with the foundation, the family has raised 64 per cent of its target but has almost £83,000 left to raise to get Rocco to the USA.
Rocco’s mum, Nevena Belovodska, said: “Rocco has responded very well to the frontline treatment provided by the NHS, and we are so grateful to the team at the RVI for looking after him so well.
“We are now desperate to get him over to New York to take part in a bivalent vaccine trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Centre.
"The vaccine needs to be taken within a certain window of time to stand a chance of working, so we need to raise the additional funds now.”
Bradley Lowery
The Bradley Lowery Foundation was established in memory of Bradley Lowery, from Blackhall Colliery, who passed away aged six following a fight with Neuroblastoma in 2017.
Since then, the charity has raised more than £3million for dozens of poorly children across the UK; established a dedicated support line for the families of children with cancer; donated over £200Ks to researching childhood cancers and campaigned for new drugs to be introduced in the UK.
Lynn Murphy, chief operating officer of the Bradley Lowery Foundation, said: “When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it’s not only devastating for the family, but financial decisions have to be made to make sure treatment can be accessed.
“So far, we’ve raised nearly £150,000 through the generosity of people touched by Rocco’s story and we hope the more people will consider holding events and activities to get this brave little boy to America.”
To donate to Rocco’s fight, click here
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