Family’s plea for ‘kind’ teen Owen

A TEENAGER who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer started his first course of chemotherapy on Christmas Day.

Owen Thomas, described by his family as a “kind” and “intelligent”, will now be flown out to the United States to undergo pioneering proton beam therapy treatment.

His mum Jemma Thomas, from Rumney, Cardiff, took her 15-year-old son to see his GP and dentist when he began complaining of neck pains and headaches.

Initially the family thought he might be experiencing exam stress, but when his face also began to swell up they knew something was more seriously wrong.

After being seen privately, the teen was then immediately referred to doctors at the University Hospital of Wales who carried out scans.

They confirmed that Owen had rhabdomysarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue diagnosed in just 60 children each year in the UK.

He underwent his first chemotherapy treatment on Christmas Day and is now on his second round already.

The Welsh NHS has agreed to fund his 10-week radiotherapy treatment in the US, which involves using a precise, high-energy beam of particles to destroy cancer cells.

But the family need to raise additional funds so they can all be by Owen’s side.

His auntie Hannah Omar, along with family friend Matthew Young, set up a fundraising page for Owen on Wednesday which raised more than £4,000 in just 48 hours.

His family said: “His treatment is set to take place in as little as eight weeks.

“We are urgently fundraising to achieve in keeping Owen and his [four] siblings together during this increasingly traumatic and stressful time.

“Owen is a kind, considerate and intelligent child who truly deserves to have the best help available to enable him to become the spectacular young man we know he will be.

“We think it is critically important that Owen can have his family by his side throughout this treatment, to give him the greatest support in defeating this terrible illness.”

A number of fundraising events have been organised since the news of his diagnosis reached friends and staff at Ysgol Bro Edern in Penylan, Cardiff.

A car wash will take place on the grounds of the school, on Llanedeyrn Road, on Saturday, January 27, from 10am to 4pm.

If you would like to donate to the cause go to www.youcaring.com/ owenthomas-1070467