Irish family's 'worst fears confirmed' as boy's neck…

Irish family's 'worst fears confirmed' as boy's neck pain turns out to be cancer

An Irish mum and dad have set up a GoFundMe page to raise enough money for their son to be accepted on a clinical trial at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York.

Joseph, 9, was diagnosed with cancer back in September 2021 - at the age of 7 - and has since been through an incredibly rough run of treatments which will hopefully put him in remission very soon.

He has a short window between the end of his treatment and when he can receive a ‘bivalent vaccine,’ which works by targeting two proteins found on neuroblastoma cells: GD2L and GD3L - to prevent his cancer from returning.

Joseph, who has a twin brother, named Cillian, is described as a “happy, intelligent, kind, and caring” child, who loves all things sports.

Speaking about his diagnosis, his parents wrote: “Joseph had initially been complaining of neck pain which progressed to his lower back.

“After trips to the doctors and hospital, it was eventually discovered after an MRI that Joseph had a tumour on his adrenal gland just above his kidney and was pressing against his spine.

“Joseph was transferred to Crumlin hospital where our worst fears were confirmed. Joseph was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk Neuroblastoma. This was to be the beginning of a very tough and aggressive treatment plan for Joseph”.

Aoife and Michael Belton went on to describe his journey so far, and said: “To date, Joseph has endured surgery to remove the tumour and his adrenal gland, insertion of a central line in his chest, 6 months of Chemotherapy, daily injections, high dose Chemotherapy followed by two stem cell transplants which included 9 weeks in isolation, 14 rounds of Radiotherapy, 4 of 5 Immunotherapy, multiple bone marrow aspirates and blood transfusions not forgetting countless hospital admissions, numerous scans, insertion of a feeding tube and daily medication”.

Despite this very scary time for the third-class pupil, his parents have hailed his “bravery and cool character,” and they say “he continues to inspire us and make us so proud every day”.

Joseph has responded well to his treatment plan so far and is nearing the end of this frontline treatment in Crumlin Hospital.

Joseph with his twin brother, Cillian (GoFundMe)

Mr. and Mrs. Belton praised the Children’s hospital for the “exceptional” care they’ve given to joseph so far and say they “are hoping and praying that his end of treatment scans will remain clear and he will be in remission”.

The next stage in Joseph’s journey will hopefully see him enrolled in the aforementioned clinical trial to prevent his cancer from returning.

He is looking to receive a ‘bivalent vaccine,’ which works by targeting two proteins found on neuroblastoma cells: GD2L and GD3L.

“It is the only pediatric tumor vaccine in existence,” the Beltons confirmed. “As Neuroblastoma, unfortunately, has a high rate of relapse and if this should happen, the prognosis is poor it is essential that we get to New York to give Joseph the best possible chance of beating cancer for good”.

The GoFundMe page has seen thousands of kind people sending donations big and small their way to ensure the young boy can travel to New York to receive this vaccine, and so far, nearly €178,000 has been raised.

“The cost of this vaccine and everything associated with it is hugely expensive and that’s why we need your help,” Joseph’s parents wrote.

They also explained that the timeline between when Joseph finishes his treatment in Crumlin to getting his vaccine is a short window, “so we need to act quickly”.