Supporting Jake

Jake Atkinson was diagnosed with Stage 4 RhabdoMyoSarcoma (RMS), a type of soft tissue cancer, on 9th March 2016. The docs mistakenly thought he had growing pains (since December). It is a particularly nasty rare type (less than 1 in NZ per year) of cancer that often grows silently within before being discovered. Chemo was started almost immediately and Jake has recovered enough to return home (30th March) … but a long, difficult road now lies ahead.

His condition is very serious and the docs have given him a 10% chance. This has been devastating for him and his family. Jake has been the only one not to cry. But no one is giving up. To date, Jake has never been sick. He has never had a filling, not even in his baby teeth. If anyone can fight this off, it is Jake.

The NZ health system is doing everything it can for them, but managing a critical illness is an expensive process. In hospital, someone had to be with him 24/7. Mum the first week; Dad the second week; and so on. Jake's mom has already quit her job to look after him. Rupert will be quitting his job in South Korea too; it is just not viable to travel back and forth.

A couple of close friends have suggested setting up this GiveALittle page to allow friends, family, and compassionate strangers to help support Jake and his parents through this. Every act of love is significant.

We may also organise a seminar, raffles, or other fundraising ideas alongside this. So please keep updated and feel free to send through any thoughts or ideas.