Appeal for Chorley cancer boy (From Chorley Citizen)

Appeal for Chorley cancer boy

8:00am Saturday 16th March 2013 in News By Chris Gee, Reporter

The desperate parents of a four-year-old struck down by a rare cancer have launched an appeal to send him to America for treatment.

Little Sam Shaw is fighting for his life after been diagnosed with high risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive cancer that affects nerve cells.

To increase his chance of survival by 20 per cent parents Christine and Carl Shaw, 41, need to raise £250,000 by June, to access treatment only available in the US.

Christine, who works as PA to the headteacher at Chorley’s Albany High School, said: “As a parent all you want is to protect your child and see them grow up healthy and happy.

“Sam’s diagnosis has left us feeling completely helpless in the face of this terrible disease that has taken over our little boy's body “He is the centre of our universe and he is our cheeky little chatterbox.”

The youngster, who has been undergoing chemotherapy at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, has also discovered his cancer has spread from the main tumour in his adrenal gland near his kidneys, to his bones and bone marrow.

He now faces months of treatment including 80 days of chemotherapy. The Darwen Barnabas House nursery pupil was diagnosed in January.

Sam lives in Hoddlesdon, Darwen with his parents and grandparents Sylvia and Graham Shaw who have moved up from Cornwall to be near their grandson.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/SamShawAppeal