A young Bermondsey father suffering from cancer is trying to raise money for his daughter and complete his bucket list after being given just months to live, writes Alex Yeates…
Jack Wells, 23, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone disease, in March 2015 after he noticed a lump on his shoulder.
Now his illness has progressed to its final stages after receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy from University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre.
Jack said: “The chemotherapy has stopped as there’s not much point in carrying on with it. I now just get on with life every day as there’s not much else you can do.
“It would be great to go to Florida for a memorable trip with my daughter and tick off a few things on my bucket list but the insurance costs are quite high.”
The News previously reported that Jack was trying to raise money for a trip to Florida in the USA with his three-year-old daughter, Scarlett.
But as the cost of insuring the trip rose, efforts are now being turned to creating a fund for Scarlett for when she’s older and to fulfil some life-long dreams.
Things to do on Jack’s bucket list include seeing the northern lights, swimming with dolphins, seeing tiger cubs and driving a sports car.
His wish of riding a hot air balloon will come true on May 31 in Maidstone, Kent after his uncle helped organise it.
Veronica Carter, Jack’s mum, said: “Jack is coping but he is in pain. He’s now receiving painkillers from Guy’s Hospital and we’ve decided he won’t go to a hospice.
“Now is the time for making memories. We want to take him away even for a week as a family holiday and to spend some quality time with him. We would go wherever he wants.
“Jack is admired for his bravery and always manages to bring laughter and smiles wherever he goes. The staff at the hospital are very fond of him.”
The primary tumour was in Jack’s right shoulder blade but has since spread to other bones such as his spine and pelvis and also his lungs.
The money raised through their Go Fund Me page will be put towards Scarlett’s education and helping her to do the things she wants without financial limitations.
To contribute to Jack’s fund for Scarlett, visit www.gofundme.com/jackse16