FAMILY’S WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN
As brave Ben endures exhausting treatment, community rallies to give support
BEN Crowther smiles like any other six-year-old boy who’s got a loving family and friends.
But in June, Ben and his family’s life was turned upside down.
He was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer that affects muscle and soft tissue.
Since then, he’s been to and from Birmingham Children’s Hospital, had surgery, CT scans, X-rays and chemo, but one thing stayed the same – his smile.
His mum Sarah, from Earlsdon, said Ben’s smile is getting them through the tough times.
She posted an emotional status on Facebook saying: “This is our beautiful 6 year old son, Ben.
“In early June this year, Ben was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer that affects soft tissue.
“He has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment since then through the incredible oncology team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Ben is doing ok under the circumstances. He hates hospital (sorry BCH!), and all the things he’s had to endure to date.
“Surgery, biopsies, X-rays, ultrasounds, CT and MRI scans, hair loss, weight loss, 29 consecutive nights in hospital, blood transfusions, NG tubes, NG tube replacements, vomiting, mouth sores and dressing changes. We hate it, hate it all. But despite the pain, anguish and disruption we still regularly see Ben’s beautiful smile.”
“Pass The Smile” is a project set up to help charities supporting the parents and children affected by the form of cancer known as Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Sarah added: “It was Ben who wanted to Pass The Smile to other people to make them happy, and in hospital he started playing a game passing smiles via photos to family members and to his class at school.
“Life for all of us has been way more stressful than anything we could have possibly imagined before June. Life from here on... well, we just don’t know yet. His brothers are handling things incredibly well. Better than their parents to be honest.” The family have had a huge amount of support from family, friends and the local community. Offers of donations have flooded in along with well wishes to everyone. Sarah posted: “We’ve had incredible support from family and friends, and unlimited offers of help. We are grateful for it all. “During Ben’s long road to recovery, we know that smiles, laughter and general silliness is helping him (and us) get through, so we are raising money, generating pledges and increasing awareness so we can all do something to ‘Pass The Smile’ to others.”
The family have a Virgin Money giving page, which has been set up to support some of the charities helping them.
The charities they’re fundraising for are CLIC Sargent, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Oncology Ward, Molly Olly’s Wishes, Children with Cancer UK and Chris Lucas Trust Rhabdomyosaracoma Appeal Trust.
A community fun day has also been set up by Sarah’s good friend Hannah Talbot, who runs Lean Body Vision and Earlsdon Running Club (ERC) – also a big part of Sarah’s life.
The whole running club community has come together to help organise the day full of prizes, smiles and cakes for Ben, and to raise money on September 16 at the War Memorial Park.
The family fun day will include food stalls, cake sale, face painting, rock painting, raffles, competitions, running races, an alcohol tombola but also a promises auction with some amazing prizes.
The rest of Sarah’s friends and family are also madly involved in raising money for these charities.
Liz from ERC ran 104 miles, there’s been a fundraising picnic with another planned for October, a martial arts fundraiser by Tiger Ripping Gung Fu Club and the junior Crown Green bowls club are taking part in a mini military mud run.
We’ve had incredible support from family and friends, and unlimited offers of help. We are grateful for it all. Mum Sarah