There’s never a good time to get cancer, but for a teenager, the timing seems particularly cruel. Young people can get some of the most rare and aggressive forms of cancer. Their rapidly changing bodies can work against them, enabling the cancer to grow faster. The emotional upheaval of adolescence can make a cancer diagnosis even harder to cope with.

 

My name is Jamie De Bootman, and on the 18th of March this year, I lost one of my best friends in the world. Jessika-Mae Prior was 18 years old for just two months before the rare form of cancer, Ewings Sarcoma, took her life.

 

Since late 2010, Jess suffered from a bad knee pain, to the point where she went to see her GP. She was then diagnosed with a common sports injury; however, it wasn't. When months of physiotherapy was not helping, she insisted on having a scan. In September 2011, she was told she had a rare form of cancer that only 30 people per year contract. This type of cancer is only seen in people aged 16 - 24. 

 

Had she known about the potential for her 'sports injury' to have been a life threatening condition requiring intense medical treatment, it could have saved her life.

 

However, myself and Alisha Giles, another of Jess' many friends, have teamed up with the charity 'Teenage Cancer Trust' to raise awareness across Norfolk. Now, to stop others falling victim to the same fate, I am to tour all of Norfolk’s 71 high schools in memory of Jess to urge students to be aware of the risks of teenage cancer and where they can go for help. I do not want to frighten pupils, just make sure they know the symptoms to watch out for and urge them to visit a doctor for help if they have concerns. We are hoping that you would like to get on board with our efforts, and we'd love it if you could arrange a collection or donation to Teenage Cancer Trust through your support.

 

We have contacts in local press and national media, to ensure the charity gets the publicity they need, together with recognition for your efforts, we are happy to organise meetings to discuss any queries you may have regarding fundraising.

 

Thank you for your support,

 

Jamie De Bootman and Alisha Giles