In the quiet, sunlit suburb of Freshwater, Jaimee and Trent’s lives were filled with the simple joys of raising their sons, six-year-old Ted and four-year-old Jack. Ted was adjusting to the routine of school, and Jack spent his days laughing over old cartoons at nursery. But their idyllic family life was shattered last April when Jack was diagnosed with stage IV Neuroblastoma—a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer.
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Now, instead of making early childhood memories, Jack is battling a disease that has turned his young life upside down. Over the past nine months, he’s endured eight rounds of gruelling chemotherapy.
“In May 2023 he commenced one of the most gruelling treatment protocols a child can endure: six months in hospital, eight rounds of chemotherapy, an 8-hour surgery, a bone marrow transplant, and 12 rounds of radiation,” shared Jaimee.
“He has responded very well to treatment. It has cleared all but a few remaining cancerous cells in his bone marrow. His next and final stage of treatment in Australia, immunotherapy, is scheduled to go for nearly six months with the objective of clearing the remaining cells.”
The results have been remarkable: his primary tumour, once the size of a grapefruit, has shrunk to the size of a grape, and the cancer in his bones and lymph nodes has cleared. But despite the progress, some cancer cells remain in his bone marrow, leaving the family in an agonising race against time.
Neuroblastoma has a 50 percent relapse rate, and if it returns, Jack’s chances of survival drop to just 5 percent. A treatment proven to reduce that risk—a combination of DFMO and the Bivalent Vaccine—is only available in the United States. The treatment costs £400,000, an astronomical amount for a young family to afford, but one they are determined to raise to save their son.
A Community Rallies Behind “Baby Bear”
To give Jack a fighting chance, Jaimee and Trent launched the Behind the Bear campaign, a nod to their affectionate nickname for Jack, “Baby Bear.” The initiative is not just a lifeline for Jack but also aims to raise awareness about Neuroblastoma. Their efforts have already inspired an outpouring of local support.
In just eight days, the family’s GoFundMe campaign has raised over £64,000, an encouraging start but still far from the £400,000 goal.
The Freshwater community has stepped up in other ways too. Local businesses and residents have organised events to help raise funds, including a corporate golf day, brewery-themed fundraisers, and a gala ball planned for June, featuring auction items like artwork created by Jack, his brother Ted, and local artist Fiona Chandler.
The Fight for Jack’s Future
The clock is ticking for Jack to begin his immunotherapy in the U.S. The treatment involves taking two daily DFMO tablets and receiving the Bivalent Vaccine six to seven times over two years. Both therapies have shown promise in reducing the relapse rate to 25 percent, giving children like Jack a better shot at survival.
The expenses, however, are staggering—not just for the drugs but also for the multiple trips to the U.S. For now, Jack continues to face his battle with the resilience of a true fighter. While other children his age enjoy carefree days at the park, Jack endures hospital visits and treatments. Yet, he never loses his brave smile—a testament to his nickname, “Baby Bear.”
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How You Can Help
The family’s GoFundMe campaign is live and accepting donations. Those interested in supporting can also attend one of the many local fundraising events planned in the coming months. To donate or learn more about the Behind the Bear campaign, visit GoFundMe.
Published 17-January-2025
