A six-year-old battling a Stage 4 neuroblastoma has raised more than £4,700 ($6,000) to help other cancer patients go on holiday.
Despite undergoing three brain surgeries since he was first diagnosed with cancer more than three years ago, selfless Jace Russell and his family have raised funds to help other families in their shoes to pay for a stay in Cape.
Jace joined his support network, dubbed the Jace train, to man a lemonade stand in Bridgewater, Massachusetts and helped collect nearly £5,000 pounds for other children in his situation.
Mum Danielle said the decision was inspired by the young boy’s battle with cancer and her own family’s desire to make others going through the same experience feel supported.
The Russells haven’t had it easy since the diagnosis, having had to cope with the invasive treatment and two relapses during the pandemic.
She said: “Three brain surgeries total; he had radiation injected into his skull. Chemo, immunotherapy – pretty much every treatment you can get for cancer he has had.
“When you go through something like this, there’s so many times we feel helpless, and we can’t do anything. When you have something that you can do we do it.”
The holidays are sponsored by the Rockland Trust, which helps sends families of children battling cancer to Tommy’s Place in Cape Cod for a week.
The non-profit organization took to Facebook to thank Jase and his family for helping raise funds to help other children enjoy some time away from the hospital.
They said: “Thank you Jasie Jumping Bean Boston 25 News Rockland Trust for supporting Tommy’s Place!!”
Danielle said she and her family have spent a week there together and want others to get the chance to have some normalcy.
Jace was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in December 2019. This type of cancer is commonly found in children under the age of five and it targets adrenal glands and nerve tissue.
Family friend Kellie Burley, who previously set up a fundraiser to help the family cover medical bills, said previously the community had stepped in to help ease the pressure on Jase’s family as much as possible.
Burley said: “It was really earth-shattering to hear the news about Jase back in 2019.
“His fight continues now… Medical costs are a real thing and we’re trying to take as much off the family’s plate as possible.”
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