Friends rally to support George in cancer fight
TWIN BOY, 12, FACES ‘JOURNEY INTO UNKNOWN’ WITH RARE LEUKAEMIA
THE family of a twin boy diagnosed with a rare form of cancer say they have been blown away by the kindness they’ve received at the start of “a horrible journey of the unknown”.
Life has been a whirlwind of hospital visits and treatment, including blood transfusions and chemotherapy, for George Shaw, 12, of Bilborough, since he was found to be suffering from a very rare form of leukaemia in April.
The youngster and his brother Stephen were dubbed miracle twins after their parents Christine and Steve spent 21 years going through six failed IVF attempts before they finally got the family they so desperately wanted.
This time last year the boys had just started secondary school at Bramcote College - now George is about to go to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to start CAR T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy described as a very complex and specialist treatment.
When he started complaining of an aching back and legs while playing football, his parents put it down to growing pains.
“George was his normal active self, loving life so much. He loved his new school and was making some lovely new friends,” said Christine.
When he started to regularly leave the pitch due to tiredness, she took him to the GP, who recommended swapping football for light exercise instead. However, before he was due to return to see the doctor for a check-up a large lump appeared under his chin.
After being referred to hospital for tests he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
Christine said: “I can’t remember much after that because I screamed and was sick. The feeling of dread in my stomach was like nothing I had felt in my entire life. I remember saying ‘you can’t take my baby away from me.’
“The doctor said that all leukaemia wasn’t as bad as you think and that they have good success rates.”
Telling George the news is a moment she will never forget.
“I had to go back to the room to tell my happy little boy that he had got leukaemia, He was angry with me and told me to stop telling lies. He said he hadn’t got it and was too young to die and he had a lot of live for.”
He was admitted to hospital straight away for blood and platelet transfusions. “Me and his dad encouraged him that this wasn’t forever and that he would get back to playing football and watching his favourite team Nottingham Forest as soon as he was better,” said Christine.
A bone marrow test revealed George was in the high risk category, suffering from ALL leukaemia cytogenetic T, so no amount of chemotherapy would ever put him in total remission.
“We were told George’s cancer was so rare that there’s only one or two children in the whole of the UK with it,” added Christine.
He had been due to undergo a bone marrow transplant but because his condition was worsening he was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where he is set to undergo the pioneering CAR T-cell therapy, starting on September 29.
His brother Stephen - the quiet one, says Christine - and his best friend Rhys Stevens, of Stapleford, have rallied to keep his spirits up.
Rhys’ mum Melissa said: “I’ll never forget the Sunday morning I woke up to the message from Chrissy. Both my husband and I decided to wake Rhys to tell him. It’s probably one of the hardest things we’ve ever done.
“He was devastated and confused as to what it all meant but so scared for him. He’s been by his side ever since. When George first went into hospital Rhys was on a video call with him and he brought his phone into the living room. He propped it up in front of the TV and said George is watching a film with us.
“He told George he needed to wear a party hat. So George put a Happy Meal box on his head and sat watching the movie with us. It’s a special friendship they have. Rhys would be lost without him. He’s always trying to keep things normal with him and not treat him any different. They speak every day on Facetime.”
An avid Nottingham Forest supporter, George has had a message from Nottingham Forest centre back Joe Worrall wishing him luck and he has met some of the Reds’ players.
Anne Duggan, who has known the twins ever since they visited Kool Kidz Cutz at Wollaton Barbers’ Shop for their first hair cut, is fundraising so the family can organise something special once George finishes his treatment.
She is running a raffle with prizes including a signed pair of shorts belonging to champion boxer Carl Froch and has set up a fundraising page where people can donate at gofundme.com/f/raising-moneyto-help-george-and-his-family.
Anne, herself a parent of grownup children, said: “It must be horrendous.
“It’s so sad to hear such terrible news. You don’t know what to do to help but I thought raising money would give them something to look forward to when he finishes his treatment.”