THE mum of a brave little boy who was diagnosed with cancer before he was a year old is raising awareness of the rare condition which means he is more prone to the disease.
Little Phoenix Poulter, who turned one this month, suffers from the genetic form of retinoblastoma.
Retinoblastoma is an eye cancer that begins in the retina.
Mum Jenni, from Earls Colne, first went to see doctors after she noticed her son’s eye was turning inward when he was just four months old.
Jenni says she was initially assured Phoenix was ok but when he reached eight months old he work up one morning and his right eye had changed colour and appeared clouded.
Doctors thought he had glaucoma but the treatment did not work.
Another ultrasound revealed that his whole eye had a tumour, which completely blinded him.
Doctors had to remove Phoenix’s right eye as a result.
Pheonix was left with a 50/50 chance of needing chemotherapy, in case the cancer had spread.
She said: “It was found that his tumour was very aggressive and extremely advanced and the cancer had left his eye and had begun travelling down his optic nerve towards his brain meaning that Phoenix immediately needed chemotherapy to once again save his life.”
Genetic testing revealed that Pheonix was suffering from a very rare syndrom, increasing the risk of cancerous growth in his body.
Jenni said it was “another blow” to learn he had rare chromosomal syndrome called 13q deletion syndrome.
She said: “This means that not only is Phoenix at risk of tumours developing in his other eye but he is also at higher risk of developing other cancers throughout his life.
“Phoenix has spent a lot of time in and out of hospital and will continue to need medical appointments throughout his life.”
The costs for travel and treatment have left his mother unable to work and she has launched a fundraiser to support her family.
She added: “Travelling to and from London can become very pricey but it is essential to save my son’s life and keep him healthy.”
“Money will also go towards supporting Phoenix with therapies/equipment to help support him with his diagnosis of 13q and his monocular vision.”
To donate to the campaign, go to gofundme.com/f/phoenixs-retinoblastoma-journey.
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