The NCCA UK (the Neuroblastoma Childrens Cancer Alliance) is launching an urgent Appeal for Vanessa Moss. Below her father Parker explains why:

“Vanessa is 6 and has been fighting for her life since 2012.  Since her diagnosis with stage 4 Neuroblastoma, one of the most aggressive childhood cancers, Vanessa has endured 26 months of treatment at Great Ormond Street.  She spent 17 months as an in-patient, where she underwent chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, radiotherapy, 3 major surgeries and immunotherapy.  Her suffering has been indescribable and more than any child should endure - but she stayed positive and gave Anna and I hope when we were most down.  Have a look at this one minute video which shows how she faced up to her first year of treatment... it was humbling to all of us. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOlHJiV4LnM&

 Vanessa finally reached remission a few months ago and has been back at school, building her strength and self-confidence and she is so proud of the beautiful brown hair that has finally regrown long enough to plait.  It’s been a happy time for our family… but this happiness was not to endure.

 On her final end of treatment scan in January 2015 we were heartbroken to learn that Vanessa has relapsed again, this time with an inoperable tumour in her skull.  She now faces another year of chemotherapy, followed by more radiotherapy or potentially proton therapy, and lastly immunotherapy.  It is this last stage that promises some hope of stopping an endless cycle of toxic treatment and relapse.  However, currently the only treatment available for Vanessa is in New York at Sloane Kettering.

 This week we were meant to remove the line that accesses her heart, which has prevented her from being submerged or going swimming since she was 4.  Instead this week we will be cropping-short hair the brown hair she has been so proud to regrow.  We've learned that this saves her the indignity of it falling out in clumps, as the chemo kicks in.  We are reaching out to our friends, our family and the public to support us with raising money for her treatment in New York.  We need to raise several hundred thousand dollars.  Your generosity will help to give Vanessa a chance to grow up with her sisters and find happiness again outside of hospital."

Her parents, Parker and Anna, and I greatly appreciate any support. Thank you so much.