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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Sophie Halle-Richards & Chiara Fiorillo

Boy, 4, diagnosed with aggressive cancer on Christmas Day leaving family heartbroken

A family was left heartbroken after a four-year-old boy was given a tragic cancer diagnosis on Christmas Day.

Jaxon Garvey, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, was admitted to Manchester Children's Hospital on December 23 and two days later was diagnosed with multiple brain tumours.

The boy's parents Melissa Roberts and Callam Garvey said Jaxon had complained of a sore neck three weeks before, but they decided to bring him to the hospital as a precaution when the boy's pain got worse.

Jaxon's blood result came back clear but hours later, the boy lost his ability to walk properly and was referred for an MRI scan.

His parents received the devastating results on December 25 last year and doctors referred the boy for chemotherapy, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Melissa Roberts and Callam Garvey with little Jaxon in happier times (Melissa Roberts/MEN Media)
The boy has been diagnosed with multiple brain tumours (Melissa Roberts/MEN Media)

Jaxon's aunt Ashley Roberts said the family is "devastated" and that Melissa and Callam have a nine-month-old baby too but have never left their four-year-old boy's side.

Ms Roberts explained: "Three weeks before they went to A&E he started complaining of a sore neck. That turned into crying and then screaming so we took him to hospital on December 23.

"He was seen by the doctors there who did some blood tests which came back clear. We were hopeful that everything was okay but as we were waiting to see the paediatrician which we thought was just a precaution. But then we noticed that he had lost his ability to walk properly.

"Doctors looked at the way he was walking and wanted to do an MRI scan. They kept us in until the results came back."

Jaxon's aunt added: "They did a biopsy and tried to remove what they could. His first 11.5-hour surgery took place and they removed 95% of three of the four tumours.

"All they can tell us at the moment is that it's a very rare and aggressive type of cancer but they can't tell us for sure what cancer it is. They don't want to wait any longer for the results and we’re starting chemotherapy straight away."

Ashley, who described her nephew as "gorgeous, hilarious, loving and kind", also set up a GoFundMe page to support Jaxon's parents financially, to allow them to look after Jaxon without money worries.

She explained: "Melissa was due to go back to work after her maternity leave in January but she hasn’t been able to go back and neither has Callam.

"The length of time Jaxon might be in the hospital is definitely up in the air at the moment. It’s very difficult because someone needs to look after their baby whilst they are in the hospital.

"His parents have not left since before Christmas. They have got a room at Ronald McDonald house. Finley has been able to visit them but not as much as they would like.

"Although it isn’t known what lies ahead for Jaxon and his treatment, we want to raise money to help take away any financial worries for his family at this unimaginably difficult time."

To donate, click here.

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