‘It’s ok mum, I will go through it again and beat it again’
‘WARRIOR’ SCHOOLGIRL FACES NEW CANCER BATTLE – NINE YEARS AFTER BEATING DISEASE
A SCHOOLGIRL has been diagnosed with cancer again – nine years after beating the devastating disease.
Jahzara Edmondson survived two brain operations aged six after a tumour the size of a tennis ball was discovered.
The ‘absolute warrior’ received ground-breaking Proton Beam Therapy in the US and has been living cancer-free since September 2013.
However, Jahzara’s family have been left devastated after a metastatic tumour was found on her lower spinal cord.
Now the 15-year-old, from Whalley Range, needs to raise £100,000 for Proton Therapy.
Mum Gill told the M.E.N: “I’ve been devastated since Jahzara’s doctor told us. It’s twice we’ve had to face this terrible news, no family should have to face this. “It’s not what anyone wants to hear. We are trying to keep our heads up and my daughter continues to stay strong and positive against all this turmoil.” A JustGiving page has been set up to fund a second course of Proton Therapy at the West German Proton Therapy Centre (WPE) to treat and permanently cure the return of Jahzara’s cancer. In mid-December she had surgery, this time on her spine, to remove the tumour. Devastatingly, however, this is not the end of Jahzara’s long battle.
She now needs a further course of radiotherapy. But the brave teen told her mum, Gill Edmondson, shortly after being informed of the horrible side effects involved: ‘It’s ok mum - I will go through it again and beat it again.’ Gill said: “The best treatment for Jahzara is a second course of Proton Therapy. It potentially reduces the risk of secondary cancers and improves patients’ quality of life due to fewer long-term side effects from minimal radiation exposure to healthy issues compared to other cancer treatments.” However, due to a capacity in treatments, the NHS will only fund a first course of Proton Therapy for residents in the UK and can only offer conventional radiotherapy, a ‘much more aggressive form with higher risks of severe adverse effects.’
Gill added: “Conventional radiotherapy could cause damage to her brain, heart, eyes, ovaries and are likely to result in side effects such as decreased function, memory loss, impaired vision, loss of hearing and infertility. This has meant we must raise the funds to get Jahzara the second course of Proton Therapy that she needs.”
Jahzara’s oncologist has referred the family to a Proton Therapy treatment centre in Germany, but the family say they need to raise £100,000 for treatment costs, travel, accommodation and living costs.
The fundraising page said: “Jahzara is the bravest, brightest and most kind-hearted 15-yearold we know. Preparing for her GCSEs should have been the biggest challenge she had to face this year, not fighting against cancer.
“Many of you who have met Jahzara know she is an absolute warrior, she has handled the news that the cancer has returned, the operation and potential radiotherapy side effects with incredible courage and strength and we are immensely proud of her fighting spirit.”