Teen died days after rare cancer diagnosed
FRIENDS are to line the streets of Nailsea to bid an emotional farewell to a much loved teenager who died just days after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Nineteen year-old Arron King died of a cancer so rare it had never been seen before by medics at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI).
Arron, a carpenter, first felt unwell last month, speaking initially to his GP on Wednesday, January 27 complaining of a bloated stomach, pale complexion and weight loss.
He saw his GP on the Thursday who arranged for him to go into the BRI the next day for a range of tests. Initially medics said Arron could be suffering from TB, lymphoma or a tumour.
After returning home for the weekend, Arron went back into hospital to have his stomach drained and to have a biopsy.
He returned home to Nailsea where his condition worsened and on February 4 he had to be taken by ambulance to hospital. The following day the hospital confirmed Arron was suffering from a rare sarcoma, but further tests were needed to discover which type.
His kidneys then started to fail and he was put on dialysis during which time the hospital started him on a chemotherapy drug.
Arron’s sister Kirstin, 26, said: “Normally they would not give this chemotherapy drug to someone on dialysis.
“But because Arron was young and previously so fit and well, they decided to try it.”
Sadly Arron’s condition worsened, with medics saying the chemotherapy drug had not worked. On February 16 a decision was made to turn off the dialysis machine.
Just hours later, on February 17, Arron passed away with mum Jayne and dad Rich by his side.
“Three weeks from first talking to the doctor about his symptoms, Arron was gone,” said Kirstin. “It’s so difficult for us to comprehend. We had no warning. We all just feel so numb. I don’t think it’s hit us yet.”
Kirstin said medics at the BRI told the family they had never dealt with a case of the type of cancer Arron had and currently only one other person in the UK had the same condition.
She said: “The hospital was amazing and despite everything going on, mum and dad, me and Arron’s girlfriend Ella were able to see him every day.”
Arron’s death has sent shockwaves through the local community.
A fundraiser set up by his friend Sam Crocker to raise £2,000 in his memory has now raised nearly £13,500.
Arron, who studied at Nailsea School before starting work as a carpenter, had a wide circle of friends and was a keen DJ, known as DJ Kinger.
The money raised will go to cover the costs of the funeral and a plot in the garden of rest in the town. Any surplus will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Twenty of his friends are also planning a 100-mile round trip bike ride in May to bolster the fundraising further. A celebration of Arron’s life is planned for later in the summer, with more fundraising planned.
Kirstin said: “Arron was very dry humoured, very caring and family orientated and completely besotted by his girlfriend Ella. He was an all round, nice, ambitious young man.
“We feel that by doing things like the fundraising we have a purpose. It’s helping us all get through.
“We hope that any money raised will go towards helping save another young person’s life. Arron would be happy that we are doing this to help others in his memory.”
Arron’s funeral will take place on March 18 at South Bristol Crematorium. Due to the pandemic only a small number of invited people will be able to attend.
The funeral cortege will leave Arron’s home at noon, travelling along Queens Road into Mizzymead Road and onto Stockway South to let people pay their last respects.
Mum Jayne, a dinner lady, said: “It makes me so proud to know how much Arron was loved. We have been overwhelmed
by all the messages of condolences including Nailsea School staff even teachers who have since left have been in touch.”
Arron leaves mum Jayne, dad Rich, Kirstin and younger brother Tyler, 12.
To donate to the fundraiser visit justgiving.com and search “Arron King”.
❝ It’s so difficult for us to comprehend. We had no warning. We all just feel so numb.
Arron’s sister Kirstin