Family shattered after schoolboy, 15, diagnosed with cancer just two weeks after his twin died from disease
CANNOCK, ENGLAND: A 15-year-old boy received a shocking cancer diagnosis just two weeks after his twin died from the disease. When Jack Parton, 15, lost his brother Ben, doctors first believed he had PTSD. However, tests later showed he had leukaemia, a type of blood cancer.
Parton's family, who were already grieving his brother's death, were shattered when they learned that he had blood malignancy leukemia. His mother, Julie, 54, told Daily Mail, "To be told my surviving son had leukaemia was devastating. Although I have to hold out hope that leukaemia is curable whereas Ben never had that chance."
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Ben died of a brain tumor 10 days before Christmas in 2019. He has undergone two operations, 30 radiotherapy sessions and two courses of chemotherapy. He had been experiencing episodes of vomiting and excruciating migraines before being diagnosed with glioblastoma, eight months before his death. He was given less than two years to live when a CT scan at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital revealed a tumour in his brain. Parton's diagnosis, just two weeks after Ben's funeral, dealt a cruel blow to the family.
Julie reportedly said, "Ben was very laid back compared to Jack who is feisty - they balanced each other out. But Ben loved Christmas and would get so excited from end of October. He made Christmas so fun for us."
Parton is participating in the Wear A Christmas Hat Day to benefit Brain Tumor Research in December in honor of his brother. The family will hold an open house event on Saturday, December 10, and has already raised close to £1,000 ($1,057). Julie said, "This time of year is always hard as Ben died before Christmas, but we decided to use his love of parties to celebrate his life each December. Jack is doing well and nearing the end of his treatment. I feel privileged to be his mum. This year I am asking friends and family to donate what they can whilst wearing their favourite Christmas hat during an open house on December 10 to support Brain Tumour Research."
Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, reportedly said, "Ben's story is devastating and we're grateful to Julie for sharing this with us. The family's experience demonstrates the need for more funding and research into brain tumours to keep families together. We wish Julie and Jack all the best for their fundraiser this Wear A Christmas Hat Day. Anyone can sign up, and if you can't join in on Friday December 16, don't worry! You can hold your event on any other day in December to suit you."