A boy from the Westcountry has tragically died just months after being diagnosed with cancer. After being diagnosed with high grade brain tumour diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma [DIPG] in January this year, doctors said Jayden Lamerton had just nine months to a year left to live.
In heartbreaking news, mum Chelsea Johnson revealed on Tuesday her six-year-old son has now passed away, PlymouthLive reports. Chelsea issued the tragic update on the 'Jayden's Army' Facebook group, announcing Jayden had "fought as best he could" but sadly died in the 'secret garden', surrounded by his family.
Chelsea wrote: "After Jayden deteriorated last week unfortunately Jayden rapidly decided, he wasn’t able to take in any food and liquids due to finding it very difficult to swallow. Jayden spent the last two days at home but unfortunately started to have trouble breathing."
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She continued: "After an unsettled night with Jayden an ambulance was called early hours of this morning and it was decided that he needed to be taken in, because of his tumour and the brain giving the wrong signals. Unfortunately there wasn’t anything they could do to help other than make him as comfortable as possible and to help him with oxygen and keep him pain free.
"Jayden didn’t give up. He fought as best as he could right till the end and passed away this afternoon in the secret garden with his whole family there right by his side.
"My darling boy you were the most bravest boy I know, nothing stopped you doing what you wanted to do and you really did fight 'til the very end. I will always be forever grateful you never suffered the way you were expected to and we managed to make the most incredible memories with you.
"I will love you always I will forever be honoured to be your mum and I promise you I will live every single day just like you would have wanted. I will keep you alive forever in my heart and I will make sure your little sister never forgets you! I will always make sure your name is heard and your story is told. Until I see you again my darling boy I love you always. Mummy."
Jayden, a true Liverpool football fan, fulfilled one of his dreams in becoming a mascot for the team in their January match against Chelsea. Jayden's aunt Lucy Rhian Dawson told PlymouthLive that it would be "a dream come true" if he could meet some of his football idols, especially his favourite player Mohamed Salah.
His dream came true when Liverpool FC got in contact to say they had arranged for the little boy to meet his favourite players, including the Egyptian striker. Jayden was given shirts signed by the players, before being escorted out onto the pitch with his mum to cheers and applause from fellow football fans who had heard his story.
The family also set up a GoFundMe page to help with travel, petrol and hotel costs, as they were taking Jayden to multiple appointments and making memories as a family. The page raised a total of £75,862.
Thousands of people have already paid tribute to Jayden. Mary Louise Stone said: "Sorry for your loss. Fly high little man you made some incredible memories that your family and friends will treasure a life time. May you rest easy. Forever six."
Michelle Davies said: "So so sad ,and sorry for the loss, of the little boy with the biggest smile ,and the determination of a true warrior , rest in peace young man ynwa young Jayden xx"
Verena Love said: "Rest in Eternal peace Darling Jayden. May you play in Heavens parks pain free and watch over your family until we all meet again. Go fly high you beautiful angel and be with all the other angels in paradise. Much love and condolences to your Mummy and family."
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