THE GEORGE YEOMANS FOUNDATION

GEORGE JOSEPH YEOMANS
23.04.98 - 25.01.08


On 23rd April 1998, our only child, George Joseph Yeomans was born at Chase Farm Hospital, Enfield.

In June 2005 we were completely devastated when George was diagnosed with cancer. George did not only have cancer he had Neuroblastoma (a rare form of childhood cancer). George was only 7 years old. George had a tumor in his stomach, he also had the disease in his bone marrow, legs, bottom of his spin and bottom of his skull. To be told that your child has cancer is the worse possible thing ever. To be told that your child has Neuroblastoma is even worse. This is the worst form of cancer a child could have.

During the next 18 months, George very bravely received almost continuous rigorous treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. This treatment involved several rounds of chemotherapy, 10 hours surgery, high dose chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, radiotherapy and oral chemo.

We received George's final test results in December 2006. To our delight they were all clear. We then returned to normal life.

However, just 4 months later, our world was torn apart again as sadly, the cancer had returned. There is no treatment for recurrent Neuroblastoma in the UK. We were left with no other option but to seek treatment in the USA. The estimated cost of this treatment was to be hundreds of thousands of pounds. We had to raise the initial deposit of £200,000.00 urgently needed for this life saving treatment for George.

We had no options. If we were to stay in the UK George would have no hope. If we took him to New York he would have some hope. We left our family and friends to raise the funds for us. Our families were always so supportive and close to us. It was a tough decision to make. We were leaving so much behind, but if our trip to NYC saved George then what option did we have?

Whilst in New York George received more Chemo. The chemo did not have the effect that we had hoped for. A decision was made. George would receive the treatment that we had traveled there for. This treatment was called 3F8. It works best with minimal disease. George did not have minimal disease, at this time, but we were willing to try anything to save our much loved son's life.

George received the 3F8 treatment for two weeks. After this treatment there was yet more tests. The final results were that the treatment had not been successful. The disease had spread. It was in his bone marrow, arms, legs and spine.

The only options available w as a palliative treatment called MIBG. If this treatment had some effect on the disease then George could maybe have the 3F8 treatment again. George could receive this treatment in both NYC or England. We truly thought that this treatment would help George fight the disease, as it was a combination of radiotherapy and chemo. We made the decision to take George home. This was for two reasons. Firstly, he could have the treatment in the UK with all his family around him. Secondly, the cost to have the treatment in NYC would be extremely large. We flew home in September 2007 in the hope that the MIBG treatment would have some effect on the disease. We had planned to return to NYC, if the treatment worked.

Unfortunately, yet again, the treatment did not help George. We were given the results just before Christmas. There was no hope left for George. We were told that we would have to make the most of our time with him.

George was able to enjoy Christmas, as best he could. George deteriorated over a few weeks. One minute he was George. The next minute he just slept all the time. Words could never express how hard those last few weeks were. We knew we had George with us, but to be honest, he was not himself. No child should have to go through the battle and pain that George had. No family should every have to hear the word Neuroblastoma.

On 25th January 2008 George died at the age of 9. Neuroblastoma had taken yet another young life.

We miss him every minute of every day. Our lives are so empty without him. George has missed out on so much of his childhood. He will also miss out on being a teenager and growing into a man.

We truly dread to think of other families that have to go through what both George and we have. If there is anything that we can do for these families then we must do it.

All remaining funds, that have been raised by The George Yeomans Appeal will help other children that want to go to America for treatment. These funds will help other children fight this terrible disease.

 

Martin and Helena xx