Mother with terminal cancer heartbroken as 11-year-old son dies from rare form of the same disease
A brave 11-year-old boy who was fighting a rare form of cancer passed away in their home on Tuesday. Cameron Rowley from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire passed away after a three-year-long struggle with a desmoplastic small-round-cell tumour also known as DSRCT. Cameron was diagnosed with DSRCT when he was only eight years old.
His mother, who is also battling an incurable brain tumor, shared the tragic news of her son's death on Facebook. Jacqueline Hickman's post about Cameron garnered a lot of support and love from people all across the globe. Many tributes poured in including from his favorite football team.
She wrote, "So utterly heartbroken to say that this afternoon my beautiful Cameron passed away at home with his family around him xx".
The cancer causes masses in the abdominal region and affects two in 500,000 people. Hickman took him to the doctors after Cameron started to feel unwell and his stomach started to swell.
At the time when he was diagnosed three years ago, the doctors gave him only two weeks to live but he fought against all odds and underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and even surgery. Despite his valiant efforts, his parents were informed that Cameron's cancer was terminal last year. They were forced to do what no parent wants to and had to stop his treatment and allow him to enjoy his final few months.
According to 'The Liverpool Echo', Jacqueline shared, "He was a brave boy who battled right until the end. I’m so very proud of him and love him with all my heart". She also spoke about how her son coped "much better than she did" with his chemotherapy and was very proud of his bravery. Cameron has been described as a "typical boy who loved football and his Playstation" and was a loving brother to his younger sibling Ethan.
Cameron's devastated and heart-broken father Rowley also took to Facebook to pay a tribute to his little warrior. He wrote, "It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I tell you this afternoon my hero Cameron grew his angel wings and flew to heaven. He was surrounded by his loving family. He found peace with all the support from his family and many friends and has now moved on to a pain-free place".
"He was such a loving and giving person and everything that made him the best person we know will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to know him. I could never be more proud of you son for never giving up, you have battled hard for over three years, you were the best role model for your brothers. You spread happiness and joy in everything you did and I am so thankful and privileged to be your dad, Cameron Rowley," he continued. "Sweet dreams, son. Goodnight, god bless. I love you more than anything in the world," he concluded.
Cameron's beloved football team Chester FC also paid tributes to the young boy and described him as an "inspiration to many". They also dedicated their 3-0 victory over Curzon Ashton in the National League North to Cameron.