Cancer fight of Eden inspires runner’s 10K wearing beer barrel
FIREFIGHTER RAISING FUNDS FOR CLINICAL TRIAL IN THE US
HER story has inspired people all around Yorkshire. Now, a former firefighter from Withernsea will run the Hull 10KM with a pink beer-barrel strapped to his back to raise money for seven-year-old Eden Smith, who is being treated for a rare cancer.
Jim Thompson, 54, is hoping to contribute at least £500 to help Eden and her family have the future they deserve, after she was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma in April last year, just a month after her sixth birthday. He is one of hundreds of people raising money to help send the little girl to the US for a clinical trial.
Eden, of Holmfirth, has endured months of gruelling chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy. However, to prevent the cancer from returning after her treatment in the UK is finished, her parents want to enrol her in the bivalent vaccine clinical trial in New York.
The trial costs hundreds of thousands of pounds to be a part of and the family has raised an incredible £430,523 so far. They have pledged that any money raised beyond the trial cost will go to another worthy cause.
Jim is a long-time participant in Run For All events and has taken part in many Hull 10KM races over the years.
Usually, to make the race a little harder, he would be sporting a full firefighter’s kit with breathing apparatus on his back.
For tomorrow’s 10KM, however, Jim, who now works for Carlsberg, has procured a beer barrel to strap on to his back, which he will be painting in Eden’s favourite colour of bright pink.
Eden is a “cheeky and smiley” character with lots of friends, including her big sister, Tia, he family have said.
She loves going to school, swimming, dancing and wearing tutus.
Her parents, Jen and Lee, praised the little girl’s “incredible” strength and bravery throughout her treatment.
They wrote on their fundraising page: “All through the 14 rounds of chemo and endless tests and scans, Eden has kept her smile and sense of fun despite the drugs making her extremely sick.
“She always maintains her impeccable manners and politeness even when she is feeling very poorly. Her strength and bravery are truly incredible, and she gives strength to everyone around her too.”
Eden’s family have set up a Facebook page called “Eden’s Army”, where supporters can follow her journey.
You can support Jim by donating at www.justgiving.com/campaign/eden