Latest news with #BoneCancerResearchTrust
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Girl dies of rare cancer after parents spotted sign as she brushed her teeth
Beth Phelps sadly died from a rare form of cancer after her parents noticed something was wrong with her shoulder. Her father, Ben, is raising awareness about the symptoms A "healthy little girl" tragically died from a rare form of cancer after her parents spotted something strange on her shoulder as she brushed her teeth. Beth Phelps, 12, from Jersey, was getting ready for bed when her parents Ben and Aby noticed a "protruding lump", which was visible from under her shirt. Their world was "tipped upside down" after tests revealed that their daughter had a 7cm tumour on her left lung. Beth was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at Jersey General Hospital, which is an aggresive cancer. The schoolgirl endured chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy which led to her being given the all clear. Sadly, it returned nine months later on her right lung and she later died on October 3, 2022. Speaking about the ordeal, Ben, 48, said: "Our world in the blink of an eye was completely tipped upside down. She had no symptoms that stood out. Beth was a healthy little girl. But she took all the treatment in her stride, despite being terrified of needles. "When we were told her cancer had come back, we were shocked and heartbroken." HR director Ben is cycling from Land's End, Cornwall, to John O'Groats, Caithness, Scotland, to raise money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT). He added: "We'd never heard of Ewing sarcoma before - that's why I'm trying to raise as much money as I can, so we can find kinder treatments to help more people survive. 'Beth is my guiding light and inspiration always; this might be a tough physical challenge, but doesn't compare to anything she endured. We miss Beth every day, and we are determined to make a difference in her name." They spotted the first lump in December 2020, prompting her GP to send them to A&E Jersey General Hospital, where Beth was given a CT scan, x-ray and MRI. On Christmas Day 2020, Beth began her first of four rounds of chemotherapy. In May 2021, Beth underwent surgery to remove the tumour and the entire left scapula at Stanmore Hospital. Back at Southampton General Hospital, Beth received three more rounds of chemo before she underwent six weeks of radiotherapy at University College London Hospitals. "This was agonising as a parent to watch," Ben said. "The nursing and play staff were amazing at helping to keep her calm, but nothing prepares you for some of the procedures that take place in order to give treatment." After nine months of treatment, Beth was cancer-free and returned home, however, in June 2022, Beth started to experience pain in her right shoulder. The pain increased and an x-ray revealed that the cancer had returned to Beth's right shoulder. Ben said: "We had to make a decision whether to put Beth through a clinical trial which meant more time away in hospitals and the possibility of never seeing home again. We chose palliative care and set out to make her time left as comfortable as possible, giving her the dignity and love that she so truly deserved. She took her last breath surrounded by me, Aby, the dog and our cat, Monkey. Beth was funny, quick-witted and beautiful, She is with me forever and especially on this challenge." Ben's cycling challenge will commence from June 22 to July 5. Louise Everett, senior regional relationship manager at the BCRT said: 'This is an incredibly inspiring challenge that Ben is taking on. We're grateful that people like Ben want to keep raising vital funds and awareness so no other family has to go through what they went through.'
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Beth took her last breath days before her 13th birthday after we spotted a strange symptom as she brushed her teeth
BETH Phelps passed away days before her 13th birthday, after her parents spotted a strange symptom as she brushed her teeth. While the 12-year-old got ready for bed, parents Ben, 48, and Aby, 49, noticed a "protruding lump" on her shoulder, visible under her t-shirt. 10 10 Tests at Jersey General Hospital revealed Beth had a 7cm tumour on her left lung. The family was told Beth had Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. "Our world in the blink of an eye was completely tipped upside down," her dad Ben, from Jersey, said. "She had no symptoms that stood out. Beth was a healthy little girl. "But she took all the treatment in her stride, despite being terrified of needles." After chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy she was given the all clear - only for it to return nine months later in her right lung. "When we were told her cancer had come back, we were shocked and heartbroken," Ben said. Beth's parents were offered a clinical trial, but chose palliative care to make "her time left as comfortable as possible". She died 12 days before her 13th birthday, on October 3, 2022. Ben, an HR director, is cycling from Land's End, Cornwall, to John O'Groats, Caithness, Scotland, to raise money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT). "We'd never heard of Ewing sarcoma before," he explained. "That's why I'm trying to raise as much money as I can, so we can find kinder treatments to help more people survive. "Beth is my guiding light and inspiration always; this might be a tough physical challenge, but doesn't compare to anything she endured. "We miss Beth every day, and we are determined to make a difference in her name." 10 10 10 Ben and Aby spotted the first lump in December 2020, prompting her GP to send them to A&E Jersey General Hospital, where Beth was given a CT scan, x-ray and MRI. On Christmas Day 2020, Beth began her first of four rounds of chemotherapy. In May 2021, Beth underwent surgery to remove the tumour and the entire left scapula at Stanmore Hospital. Back at Southampton General Hospital, Beth received three more rounds of chemo before she underwent six weeks of radiotherapy at University College London Hospitals. What is Ewing sarcoma? Ewing sarcoma is a type of cancer that begins in the bones or soft tissues. The bones most commonly affected by Ewing sarcoma are the: Pelvis Thigh (femur) Shin (tibia) Ribs and shoulder blades Ewing sarcoma is most often found in teenagers and young adults, but it can happen at other ages. It is slightly more common in men than women. Sometimes Ewing sarcoma can start in the soft tissue near the bone, which is called extraosseous Ewing sarcoma. Pain is the most common symptom of bone cancer, including Ewing sarcoma. But symptoms may vary, depending on what part of the body the cancer is in. The area may be swollen or painful when touched. Primary bone cancer is sometimes found when a bone breaks after a minor fall or accident. This is because it has been weakened by the cancer. Most of the time, these symptoms are caused by other conditions that are more common than bone cancer. But if you have any swelling or unexplained bone pain, get it checked by your GP. Tell your GP if the pain happens at night and when you are resting. Source: Macmillan Cancer Research "This was agonising as a parent to watch," Ben said. "The nursing and play staff were amazing at helping to keep her calm, but nothing prepares you for some of the procedures that take place in order to give treatment." After nine months of treatment, Beth was declared cancer-free and returned home. However, in June 2022, she started to experience pain in her right shoulder. The pain increased and an x-ray revealed that the cancer had returned. Ben said: "We had to make a decision whether to put Beth through a clinical trial which meant more time away in hospitals and the possibility of never seeing home again. 10 10 10 "We chose palliative care and set out to make her time left as comfortable as possible, giving her the dignity and love that she so truly deserved. "She took her last breath surrounded by me, Aby, the dog and our cat, Monkey." In Beth's memory, Ben will cycle from Land's End, Cornwall, to John O'Groats, Caithness, Scotland, from June 22 to July 5. The dad said: "Beth was funny, quick-witted and beautiful. She is with me forever and especially on this challenge." Louise Everett, senior regional relationship manager at the BCRT said: "This is an incredibly inspiring challenge that Ben is taking on. "We're grateful that people like Ben want to keep raising vital funds and awareness so no other family has to go through what they went through." You can contribute to Ben's fundraiser here.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Our girl died after we spotted sign while she brushed her teeth'
Beth Phelps, 12, was diagnosed after her parents Ben and Aby noticed a 'protruding lump' A 12-year-old girl died from a rare form of cancer after her parents noticed an alarming sign while she was brushing her teeth. Beth Phelps, while preparing for bed, had a "protruding lump" on her shoulder that caught the attention of her parents Ben, 48, and Aby, 49, through her T-shirt. Following tests at Jersey General Hospital, a 7cm tumour in Beth's left lung was diagnosed as Ewing sarcoma, which is known for its rarity and aggressiveness. Despite going through chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy - and initially receiving the all-clear - the disease resurfaced nine months later in her right lung. Confronted with a harrowing decision, Ben and Aby opted against a clinical trial in favour of palliative care, to ensure Beth could spend her final days comfortably; she died just 12 days shy of her 13th birthday. HR director Ben, from Jersey, has vowed to cycle an epic journey from Land's End, Cornwall, to John O'Groats, Caithness, Scotland, to raise funds for the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT). He said: "Our world in the blink of an eye was completely tipped upside down," adding, "She had no symptoms that stood out. Beth was a healthy little girl. "But she took all the treatment in her stride, despite being terrified of needles. When we were told her cancer had come back, we were shocked and heartbroken." Ewing sarcoma, an unfamiliar term to the family before this ordeal, has sparked a determination in Ben: "We'd never heard of Ewing sarcoma before - that's why I'm trying to raise as much money as I can, so we can find kinder treatments to help more people survive. "Beth is my guiding light and inspiration always; this might be a tough physical challenge, but doesn't compare to anything she endured. We miss Beth every day, and we are determined to make a difference in her name." The first sign appeared in December 2020 when they discovered a lump, leading Beth's GP to refer them to A&E at Jersey General Hospital. There, Beth underwent a CT scan, X-ray and MRI. Beth started her first of four chemotherapy sessions on Christmas Day 2020. In May 2021, Beth faced surgery at Stanmore Hospital to remove the tumour and her entire left scapula. Her treatment continued at Southampton General Hospital with three more rounds of chemotherapy, followed by six weeks of radiotherapy at University College London Hospitals. "This was agonising as a parent to watch," Ben said. "The nursing and play staff were amazing at helping to keep her calm, but nothing prepares you for some of the procedures that take place in order to give treatment." After nine gruelling months, Beth got the all-clear and returned home. However, in June 2022 she began experiencing pain in her right shoulder, which worsened over time. An X-ray later confirmed the devastating news that the cancer had come back, now in Beth's right shoulder. On October 3, 2022, Beth passed away. Ben said: "We had to make a decision whether to put Beth through a clinical trial, which meant more time away in hospitals and the possibility of never seeing home again. We chose palliative care and set out to make her time left as comfortable as possible, giving her the dignity and love that she so truly deserved. "She took her last breath surrounded by me, Aby, the dog and our cat, Monkey. Beth was funny, quick-witted and beautiful. She is with me forever and especially on this challenge." Ben will cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats from June 22 to July 5. Louise Everett, senior regional relationship manager at BCRT, said: "This is an incredibly inspiring challenge that Ben is taking on. We're grateful that people like Ben want to keep raising vital funds and awareness so no other family has to go through what they went through."
The National
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
How Niamh Jobson's life is inspiring bone cancer treatment fundraising
Still raw from losing his sister in January, Finn has dedicated himself to achieving Niamh's selfless wish to help others suffering from osteosarcoma, a particularly vicious bone cancer which mostly affects children and young adults under 20. Despite fighting the disease for more than seven years and even persevering with her flourishing music career after her leg was amputated, Niamh died just days short of her 23rd birthday. READ MORE: 'Live like Niamh': Glasgow DJ's tragic death inspires cancer research fund Only 24 out of every 100 people are alive five years after a diagnosis of metastatic osteosarcoma, yet treatment options have remained largely unchanged for 50 years. In honour of Niamh, however, a dedicated osteosarcoma fund has now been set up. Established within the Bone Cancer Research Trust, the fund's sole purpose is to help drive progress in treatment options and to create a better future for others diagnosed with this devastating illness. Steering its inception is 20-year-old Finn who is working hard to make the launch night a highlight of the Scottish gig scene. He hopes its success will lead to more such events and help grow the fund while also paying tribute to Niamh's gift for music. He told the Sunday National the fundraising was actually Niamh's idea. 'She never complained but she thought we need to sort this out and give other people a chance,' he said. 'She thought if it couldn't be her, then something had to be done for other people as the treatment is brutal and has not been advanced for far too long. 'Our mission is to change the whole awareness of osteosarcoma as we want to see some advancements in research to give young people the chance at life that they deserve.' Finn said it was Niamh's personality that was keeping him going through his devastation. 'If I did not turn the grief into a positive thing then I can literally hear Niamh telling me to shut up, stop moping around and start getting things done. It is Niamh that is keeping us all going.' As a tribute to her career as a DJ, the launch party is being held at SWG3 in Glasgow on June 28 at the venue's Warehouse and Garden Terrace, featuring sets from Kairogen, Danny Greenman, Timescape, VXYX, Harry Mawby and LAZLO – a line-up of artists who played with Niamh, knew her well and were inspired by her sound and spirit. READ MORE: SNP MSP Ruth Maguire 'excited to return to work' after revealing she's cancer free Finn said Niamh, who grew up on the Isle of Eigg, had always had a great interest in music, learning to play the piano, double bass, fiddle, guitar and bass guitar. She was the first person to do a music production course at high school in Mallaig and played gigs with traditional bands before moving into techno. She first cut her teeth in this genre at the revered Sub Club in Glasgow, later making her debut at Subculture and performing solo and back-to-back at Slam's Return to Mono residency. Despite enduring multiple rounds of intense chemotherapy and the eventual loss of her left leg, she remained dedicated to her craft – performing, producing, and co-hosting the acclaimed Dub Series radio show with close friend and fellow DJ Kairogen. Finn said she kept going through excruciating pain and the indignities of her treatment through sheer will and determination. 'She just took extra painkillers to get through her sets. She was amazing,' Finn said. He hopes that at least 200 or 250 people will turn up at the launch venue which has a capacity of 500. The aim is to turn it into a series of gigs that will continue to raise much-needed money for the fund. 'Creating this fund and launching it in a very 'Niamh' manner, we will be able to assist her dream of helping kids in this position get another chance at life, while also pushing her unique underground club techno sound to the people of Glasgow,' said Finn. He is being supported by the rest of his family and friends. The sibling's father Jonny said: 'Niamh was, and continues to be, an inspiration to so many who knew her. Throughout everything she had to face, from 10 months of chemo and the removal of her thigh bone and her knee joint when she was just 17, to losing her leg entirely in 2023, she never complained, never asked 'why me' and never gave up fighting for her dreams. 'She forged herself a career as a DJ, she completed her sound engineering degree and passed her driving test all while facing continuous setbacks and agonies. 'Through this fund, her devastated family hope that her suffering will not be in vain and that other young people be spared the indignities, pain and suffering that Niamh bore with such defiance and bravery.' A spokesperson for the Bone Cancer Research Trust said: 'Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Jobson family who will be supporting vital research in memory of their much-loved Niamh. 'Through the Niamh Jobson Research Fund, a special fund of the Bone Cancer Research Trust, Niamh's loved ones will honour her wish of improving treatments and outcomes for others.' Tickets for the June 28 launch at Glasgow's SWG3 are are available through Skiddle and Resident Advisor. They are priced at what you can afford – £10.50, £15.50 or £20.50.
The National
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
SWG3 event to launch cancer fund in memory of Scottish DJ Niamh Jobson
Glasgow-based DJ, producer and sound engineer Niamh Jobson died on January 17, just five days before her 23rd birthday. The popular musician died after many years of living with osteosarcoma, a particularly vicious childhood bone cancer. The Niamh Jobson Research Fund – will officially launch on Saturday June 28, at Glasgow's SWG3, to support research into osteosarcoma. READ MORE: 'The British media undermines anything Scottish and assimilates it' Established as a dedicated Osteosarcoma Fund within the Bone Cancer Research Trust, the fund's sole purpose is to help progress treatment options that have remained largely unchanged for over 50 years, the charity says. Born in Hong Kong, Jobson spent part of her childhood on the Isle of Eigg before moving to Glasgow and becoming immersed in the city's club culture. She kicked off her DJ career performing in Glasgow's Sub Club. She also had a show on Radio Buena Vida with fellow Glasgow DJ Kairogen. The launch party at SWG3 will run from 2pm until 8pm across the venue's Warehouse and Garden Terrace, featuring sets from Kairogen, Danny Greenman, Timescape, VXYX, Harry Mawby and LAZLO – a line-up of artists who played with Jobson, knew her well, and were inspired by her sound and spirit. Through this fund, Jobson's family hopes to transform that loss into lasting impact. Speaking on the launch of the fund, Niamh's brother Finn Jobson reflected on her legacy and the drive behind the initiative. He said: 'I will never get over the loss of my best friend. Watching her suffer from this heinous disease, while powering through with her impressive and promising career cut far too short by osteosarcoma. "Creating this fund and launching it in a very 'Niamh' manner, we will be able to assist her dream of helping kids in this position get another chance at life, while also pushing her unique underground club techno sound to the people of Glasgow. She was my partner in crime and we will carry on living like Niamh.'
