Headshave for boy with a rare illness
TWO Southport boys will shave off their hair in order to support a family member who has been diagnosed with bone cancer.
Jack Rogan, 11, from Birkdale, was diagnosed with bone cancer in September, and the diagnosis came after he had a pain in his arm for months – which was intermittent and worse at night.
After several tests Jack and his family were told that he had Ewing’s sarcoma.
His auntie, Claire Atherton, 38, said: “Unfortunately Jack was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, which is a rare form of bone cancer.
“We have been told that it effects only 30 children each year in the UK.”
Consequently, Jack, who attends Christ The King high school in Southport, began chemotherapy on Monday.
Following six rounds of chemotherapy at Alder Hey Hospital, he will then travel to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital Birmingham for limb saving surgery – and this will be followed by further chemothchemoth erepy.
After just one week of treatment, Jack has been told to expect he will lose his hair.
Therefore, his brother Oliver Rogan, 14, who also attends Christ The King high school, and his cousin, Connor Atherton, 14, who goes to Meols Cop high school, have agreed to also shave their heads to raise funds.
Claire, who is a mental health nurse for Merseycare, said: “The boys both have a good head of hair so its a big thing for them, but they want to raise money to support Jack through his treatment.
“And more than anything, it’s about showing their support to Jack and making him feel more comfortable during this difficult time.
“We are a very close family, and we want to be able to offer support to eachother.”
The boys will have their hair shaved at Master Barbers in Southport next Tuesday (October 24) at 10.30am.
Furthermore, Jack is a member of Southport Rugby Football Club, and some team members will also be participating in the head shave.
So far, the family have raised over £1,000 on their online donation page for the cause.
If you would like to find out more, or donate, visit their JustGiving page.