Brave Brownsover boy wants to keep fighting cancer after doctors said he might only have weeks to live - can you help?

Doctors say eight-year-old Jamie Clarke from Brownsover might only have weeks to live after an almost year-long fight with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare and very fast-growing cancer.

And now his family are calling on people to help to raise funds for a pioneering treatment which might be able to save his life.

Jamie's father Wayne said that last year Jamie was in intensive care, kept on machines that protected his vital organs.

Wayne added: "Over the next few weeks, the tumour in his stomach had gone, his kidneys and lungs had cleared up.

"All the focus was now on his head, a small amount behind one eye."

In October 2019 the family were expecting the 'all clear', and Wayne said Jamie so excited he was running around the hospital room.

But his headache came back and further tests revealed the illness had returned, making its way into Jamie's brain and spinal fluid.

Wayne added: "Immediately a new plan was formed, intense chemotherapy, radiotherapy and emergency brain surgery.

"Despite the odds, all tests showed he was clear again and on December 24 (Christmas Eve) my little princess, Emma (Jamie's younger sister) donated her bone marrow (stem cells).

"Emma was a 100 per cent match and in January 2020, she had grafted in his body. This was fantastic news."

All looked well and there was talk of Jamie being able to go home.

'I don't wanna die, I've been fighting and still will'

But on Tuesday, February 11, the family was given the news that no parent should have to hear - the illness had returned and Jamie might only have weeks to live.

Jamie's mother Hayley said: "On Tuesday I was told that my baby boy has only a matter of weeks to live as his cancer had returned in his brain for the second time.

"This week I have had to tell him what is going to happen and also tell his sister Emma - two conversations a mother should never have to have with her children."

Wayne added: "Having that conversation with your babies is something no parent should ever have to do.

"I will quote what Jamie said 'but I don't wanna die, I've been fighting and still will.'"

Specialised treatment might save Jamie's life

The family has now found a new treatment called targeted therapy, which could give Jamie a chance to live.

This therapy works differently to traditional chemotherapy in that it is designed to target cancer cells specifically.

Hayley said: "We came across a targeted therapy treatment company who have agreed to give Jamie a final chance.

"They will use his sample and test it against over 700 different therapies to see if one can keep it away for good."

Cancer Research UK states that targeted cancer drugs are already one of the main treatments for some cancers - and they are in clinical trials for other types of cancer.

Wayne said: "Unfortunately, because this is new, the NHS can't offer this so we need to go private.

"Birmingham Children's Hospital are supporting us with the research and will allow Jamie to stay at the hospital and treat him, although they need the funding.

"This process however, is very expensive and we need your help."

The initial cost of the treatment will be £2,450, with an ongoing monthly cost of £3,000 - 5,000 a month.

To donate, visit bit.ly/32bvt7Z or bit.ly/39QssfY