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Myself and my team mates at SSCL Newport will be taking part in some 40 theme events in November.

The team will be walking 40 miles each in November. Jacks mum is also swimming 40 lengths for 40 days. We will also be taking part in a number of sub 40 challenges along with other members of SSCL.

Jack’s Story

September 2020 began with us taking Jack, then aged 7, to the Doctors for excessive bruising on his arms and legs, the days that followed Jack was complaining of pains in his legs and knees, and was struggling to walk. One evening, after a long wait in A&E waiting for bloods, a Doctor called me and Jack into a room, got Dad on speaker phone and told us the devastating news that Jack had cancer, we were rushed straight to Rainbow ward in Noahs ark Hospital in Cardiff for an urgent blood transfusion and his cancer journey started here. He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

The months that followed were horrific, being mid pandemic we were put into lockdown, strictly no leaving the ward or the house not even to the shop, no visitors, and we were separated from Jacks brother, just 4 at the time, who moved in with his Grandparents to keep Jack safe from any infection.

Jack started chemotherapy immediately and seeing the instant change in him was devastating, watching him become so unwell, endless needles and drugs, losing his hair, gaining so much weight from steroids, mood changes, losing the ability to walk, and having a feeding tube was devastating. 

Despite all of this, Jack still has a smile on his face most days.

Jacks treatment plan takes place over 3 years and 3 months, he finishes in December this year.

We feel it’s time to give something back, and the 40th anniversary felt like a great time to do so.

We were introduced to Latch the first few days of being admitted to the ward., Latch have supported us financially and emotionally since. We learned about the vital support they give to families just like ours, providing things such as:

*Gifting an ipad to occupy their lengthly hospital stays when they are so poorly they cannot get out of bed. Jack loves his ipad and was able to keep in touch with family and do school work as well as games and watching films.

 *Provide accommodation above Rainbow ward for parents to stay if needed.

*Stock the cupboard with food in the parent kitchen, which helps so much with emergency admissions if parents have no time to stock up and stops parents living out of vending machines

*Every family is assigned a support worker, who guides you through step by step of your childs journey. They fill out paper work for you, and can liaise with GPs, employers and schools on your behalf. They are an outlet for parents to shout scream cry and rant when they hit rock bottom

*Counselling services and signposting to other areas of support

*Family breaks free of charge in a caravan in south wales, allowing valued time together as a family, and being close to the hospital if needed

*Grants and financial support, they replaced our washing machine the day after it broke, and cover mileage costs for hospital visits.

*Family trips such as visits to build a bear, ward visits from people such as santa, a music man, pizza nights and more.

*They have recently refurbished Rainbow ward with modern up to date facilities, with ensuites, TVs in every room, a parent room, a quiet room and a play room.

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