Before a family holiday in 2013 Jacob Simpson noticed a slight swelling in his leg and a small pain (which was unrelated) in his knee. His doctor insisted on an x-ray and upon his return from holiday Jacob was urgently called to return to the doctors. He was told at this point that it could either be an infection or cancer. After an MRI he was told it was cancer and he was sent to Birmingham Royal Orthopaedic Hospital where he was given a biopsy and was diagnosed with a Ewing’s Sarcoma (a form of bone cancer) in his right femur. Jacob was then sent to the Leeds General Infirmary where he had all his consultations and began chemotherapy treatment.

He had six months of a harsh chemotherapy which lead to infections after each regime. On the last infection Jacob had to stay in hospital with an infection which lasted over 14 days and meant his 18th birthday was spent in hospital. It was during this hospital stay that Jacob was first made aware of The Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust when he received a gift from the charity. After an extremely difficult six months Jacob went back down to Birmingham where he had an endoprosthesis on his femur. Here the bone was taken out and replaced with a titanium rod.

Following this he had another 6 months of a lesser chemo and had radiotherapy over his leg and lungs where the cancer had spread. Post treatment, after it was all finished, Jacob received physiotherapy for a few months and soon returned to school to finish his final year. Jacob’s physio gym session was reduced to weekly and his check-ups every two months. Jacob very kindly agreed to become an Ambassador of the Laura Crane Youth Cancer Trust in 2015 and will speak about his journey and the work of the trust