Father and son trek in support of cancer charity

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust technician, Chris Treves, and his 14-year-old son, Sam, will be undertaking a gruelling trek to raise money for a charity close to their family's heart.

Chris and Sam from Chatham will be undertaking a two-day trek of four mountains, Scafell, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw, in the Lake District on Friday, 3 June.

They will be raising funds for Families Against Neuroblastoma (FAN) which was set up by Linza Corp after she sadly lost her son, Max, to the cancer which affects specialised nerve cells, called neural crest cells.

These cells are involved in the development of the nervous system and other tissues. Neuroblastoma often occurs in one of the adrenal glands found above the kidneys and is the most common solid tumour in childhood, making up eight per cent of the total number of children's cancers.

Chris's daughter Molly was diagnosed with the cancer almost six years ago. She had intensive treatment including high dose chemotherapy, a six-hour operation to remove the tumour, stem cell transplant and radiotherapy. At the time Chris and his wife Rita had no contact with families in a similar position.

Last year, the family was introduced to FAN which provides support and information for families who are affected by Neuroblastoma. The disease is hard to detect in many cases and many children are extremely poorly prior to diagnosis.

The charity is currently collecting signatures for a petition to ask the Government to make the general public and medical professionals aware of the signs and symptoms.

Chris said: "Currently, if diagnosed at stage four as Molly was, children have only a five per cent chance of survival. If diagnosis is made earlier, the chances of survival can be as high as 95 per cent.

"Children who relapse in this country are not offered any further treatment at present. Many families are paying huge amounts, up to £250,000, to receive treatment in Germany and America. This money has to be raised by the families as no funding is yet available."

The charity trek aims to raise awareness of the condition and cash for fun days out for families affected by Neuroblastoma. The days are very popular with families especially the siblings who are often affected by their brother or sister's treatment. It allows them to have fun with other children who have shared their experiences. It also allows the parents to talk to people who really understand what they are going through. Many of the families have lost their children but take time to come to the days out with their other children.

The hope is that with more awareness, children will be diagnosed and treated earlier. This will give them a better chance of survival.

For more information regarding the charity, visit www.familiesagainstneuroblastoma.org and details of the online petition can be find here www.gopetition.com/petition/42787.html.

The charity needs 100,000 signatures before the issue can be raised as a debate.

To sponsor Chris Treves online please follow the link below.

http://www.bmycharity.com/Englandsfourpeaks4molly

To sponsor Sam Treves online please follow the link below.

http://www.bmycharity.com/SamtrevestreksforFAN