Jude Mellon-Jameson: Brave Sheffield boy's cancer returns as 'devastated' parents battle on to save his life

Jude Mellon-Jameson, from Woodhouse Mill, Sheffield, was diagnosed in July, 2021, with high risk neuroblastoma the day before his third birthday and despite undergoing gruelling treatment his parents Arron and Lucy announced on Tuesday, November 2, the youngster’s cancer has returned.

His parents stated: “Jude’s pain had increased and mobility deteriorated over the weekend and on Monday he was admitted to hospital after losing the use of his hands. Under the advice of the neurologist he went for an MRI of his head down to his pelvis. Unfortunately, his cancer has returned.”

Jude had been responding well at two Sheffield hospitals having undergone chemotherapy, surgery, a stem cell harvest and transplant, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.

His parents recently announced a £236,000 fundraising campaign for new treatment in America had reached £209,000 thanks to many people including 192 Sheffield Brownies, Killamarsh’s Nether Green WMC, and organised events. Arron, a former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, raised over £6,000 after cycling with others from Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground to the MK Dons’ stadium at Milton Keynes.

However, Arron and Lucy’s latest statement revealed the oncology team is treating Jude’s current situation for ‘time and comfort and not to cure him’ but his parents refuse to give up and are looking into any other options.

They stated: “It’s ‘significant disease’ on his brain, around his neck and the whole length of his spine. He started steroids prior to having the scan and he remains on that. Chemo started again yesterday and the plan is that he will have that on 21 day cycles (5 days of two chemo drugs; Irinotecan and Temozolomide, and then a 16-day break) twice before he is reassessed.

"So far he’s had little side effects and we’d be confident saying he’s comfortable and his movement (whilst still in bed) has improved slightly. We never want Jude to be in hospital unnecessarily and now more than ever we want him at home and able to see those he loves and those who love him and so we have had discussions with physios and occupational therapists today to get everything in place for us to have him at home.

"So now we are trying to decide where the hell we put a hospital bed that’s being delivered this week. The oncology team are treating this for time and comfort and not to cure him. “That feels a very hard pill to swallow and not one that we will simply accept, we are trying to see if there are any other options available at all and thanks to the fundraising more options may be available than without it.

"We are devastated, this is a huge shock and there feels like there is a lot less to cling on to the second time round but we are clinging on and we will continue to cling on to anything and everything including each other. We need to process, figure out and just be whatever is needed at a given time. There are no rules or limitations. We go again."

Around 100 children in the UK are diagnosed each year with high risk neuroblastoma. Donations for Jude can be made online at: https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/appeal/jude.