A THREE-YEAR-OLD who is smiling his way through 18 months of gruelling cancer treatment will go to Disneyland in Paris - thanks to the generosity of well-wishers in Barnsley.
Toddler George Singleton was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma when he was two and started immediate treatment after doctors found the cancer had spread.
Doctors gave an initial survival rate of just 30 per cent, which has increased to 50 per cent according to the family, and although the tumour has shrunk it’s currently inoperable as it is wrapped around a main artery.
The youngster, from Penistone, is in the midst of an 18-month spell of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where this week he has been undergoing antibody treatment.
But a Just Giving page - set up with the intention of funding an end-of-treatment trip for George, his sister Polly-Anna and brother Deacan - has already raised more than £4,000.
Mum Claire Denton told the Chronicle: “Our family is overwhelmed by the generosity people have shown, many who are complete strangers who have taken the story to their hearts. We can’t thank them enough for that.
“What George is going through is still shocking and heartbreaking for us because our little boy is in so much pain - we can’t take it away from him like we would wish to.
“He’s been through intense chemotherapy, had stem cell replacement and had a rare complication through that - veno-occlusive disease (VOD) - in his liver.
“He had radiotherapy after that and he’s started a six-month course of antibody treatment but he’s had a temperature this week as a result.”
Claire became concerned about George’s health due to a persistent bellyache and, upon seeing a GP who referred him to Barnsley Hospital, he ended up at Sheffield where he’s been receiving treatment since.
Neuroblastoma most frequently starts from one of the adrenal glands, but can also develop in the neck, chest, abdomen or spine and symptoms include bone pain or a lump in the abdomen, neck or chest.
Claire, who works at Morrisons near Barnsley town centre, paid tribute to her colleagues who raised more than £1,100 when they heard about George’s plight.
“There’s so many people who have donated so George can have his wish at the end of his treatment,” Claire said.
“I can’t believe what people have done for us, including those who know our family like my workmates but also others who have donated whatever they can.
“It’s heartbreaking to see him in hospital but he takes everything in his stride and fights each day.
“He deserves the world - he’s a little soldier and we’re forever proud of him.”
Visit the Just Giving page and type in Caitlin Denton
