Little Heroes Fund

In 2014, when I was 16, I started to have some pain in my right knee, and when it started waking me up in my sleep I decided to go to my GP. After a very long list of tests including a full body MRI, a needle biopsy which meant getting injected with a radioactive isotope, I had the phone call that nobody ever wants.

I had been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

I had a year of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and life-changing surgery to replace my knee with a titanium prosthesis, meaning I had to learn to walk all over again.

My last chemo was in 2015, I've had a couple of tiny lumps in my lungs since then but thankfully they only needed minor surgery.

Now, I'm at university and I've been lucky enough to go travelling to the USA, Canada and Scotland! I've passed my driving test and am living independently. I would have seen none of this happening 5 years ago, I felt like the chemotherapy nightmare would never ever end!

I'd like to help other children, teenagers and young adults who are going through the same experiences that I have and so I've decided to name my fund the Little Heroes Fund because I believe the world hero is the best name for the 30 children and young people that are diagnosed with osteosarcoma every year. We want to do our bit to change the lives of the 30 children who will get not be able to go to school, spending endless nights in hospital, having life changing surgery and chemotherapy. The 30 families who will get told "your child has cancer" and have to give up normality, putting themselves in financial difficulties, spending Christmas in hospital, missing out on events and making memories with their siblings.

If we can contribute any amount to research and beat this disease, then it is worth it. If we work as hard as we can, we change the world, no matter how small or large this may be.

Ben’s parents are devastated to report that Ben sadly passed away on 20th December 2020 but are keen for this fund still to grow and honour their son’s intentions.