A Rowlands Gill family have thanked the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation after its children's support project helped Joseph Jarvie, 12, through a "totally unexpected" cancer diagnosis.
Last year, Joseph's parents Jo and Steve took him to the A&E at the RVI thinking he had a bad migraine, but medics there instead found he had a rare kind of brain cancer caused by a "germ cell tumour".
To mark International Childhood Cancer Day, mum Jo explained: "Joseph was diagnosed with cancer in January last year. It was totally unexpected. He had a terrible headache, sore neck and double vision and we were advised to got to A&E. Honestly, we just expected them to say it was a migraine.
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"His treatment started almost immediately and he was receiving three types of chemo drugs every day for five days and then would have a short break. Inevitably, he’d end up back in hospital during the break though because he was so susceptible to infections."
Jo said that her son was in hospital - at the Great North Children's Hospital at the RVI and at the Christie in Manchester - for around six months in total - and due to tight Covid-19 restrictions he was separated from elder brother Daniel, 15.
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation works with the Newcastle United Foundation to run a children's support service in the paediatric oncology department of the GNCH.
Run by project co-ordinator Gareth Williams, this offers young cancer patients opportunities to play, learn and even enjoy sport during their treatment - and there is a focus on helping siblings to stay close during traumatic treatment.
Jo added: "My husband, Steve, met Gareth on Joseph’s first stay at the Great North Children’s Hospital.
"He’d not been able to get out of bed and was very poorly. Gareth suggested they build a Lego football stadium together and that encouraged Joseph to sit in his chair and get out of bed for the first time. He’s made a huge difference for us."
Gareth's support didn't end when Joseph's six months of treatment did though, he's continued to help the family as the lad recovers - he's now back at school.
Recently he's helped Joseph and Daniel to play golf together - and even took Joseph to Newcastle United's win over Aston Villa last weekend.
Jo added: "Gareth’s support in hospital was invaluable but his help since with the golf has really given Joseph a lift. He’d missed a lot of school and his self-confidence understandably took a knock.
"During treatment, everything’s mapped out for you and when that ends it’s quite difficult to try to return to normal life.
"The golf has helped Joseph grow in confidence and that’s played a big part in him getting back to school. It’s also helping him physically and it’s something he can do with his brother.
"This has all been very hard for Dan, too. He’s been separated from Joseph because of Covid restrictions and that’s been tough on them both, so to have something like golf that they can now do together is just wonderful. It’s a regular weekly thing to get them active and out of the house."
She added that despite positive signs, Joseph still has "a way to go" and continues to get very tired - but said the scans since his treatment ended "showed no sign of a tumour".
"We’re all so grateful to everyone who has supported the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation," she added. "The difference Gareth has made to Joseph and our family is hard to put into words."
The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is part of the Newcastle Hospitals Charity - which funds a similar support role for children with chronic health conditions through the the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation fund.
Since 2008 the foundation has raised millions to help the fight against cancer.
