'We jump when the phone rings'

8:32am Monday 28th January 2008

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THE parents of a five-year-old cancer patient face an agonising wait to see if his latest round of treatment has worked.

Hartford Manor pupil Jacob Marsland spent December undergoing intensive radiation therapy to try and rid his bones of the cancer cell.

We have no idea what the future holds, it all depends on these results, we can’t plan anything.

Mum Nicky Marsland

Jacob's results are due in the next few days.

The Kingsmead boy was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and agressive form of childhood cancer, last January but did not respond to chemotherapy.

Mum Nicky Marsland, 37, said: "We jump everytime the phone goes thinking it's going to be his results, we are so anxious."

She already knows the cancer has not completely gone from his bones because scans last week revealed remaining patches of the disease. But she hopes enough cells will have been destroyed to move to the next stage of removing the primary tumour from next to his spine.

"I know some of the cancer is still in his bones because he is still getting pains in his legs, but we have got to carry on.

"We have no idea what the future holds, it all depends on these results, we can't plan anything.

"And even if we beat it, there is a high chance it will come back. He will need treatment in America, but what kind depends on these results."

The Guardian helped launch a campaign in October to raise the £250,000 needed for the pioneering US treatment, and so far more than £40,000 has been raised.

And Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has picked the appeal to be one of his chosen charities, adding £12,000 to the pot.

Nicky said: "Wayne's assistant phoned me up and said Wayne would be donating some of his royalties to Jacob's appeal. I couldn't believe it."

"Jacob is a big United fan and there is even talk of him being a club mascot in March, depending on how he is and how his treatment has gone so fingers crossed."

If you would like to help with the fundraising, please visit jacobmarslandappeal.org.