Published: Thursday, 26th November, 2009 6:35am

American dream for cancer tot

by Kirsty Gibbins

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THE family of an Ormiston toddler battling cancer have pledged to raise at least £300,000 to take their son to America for an advanced form of treatment - sparing him the "horrific" side-effects of limited medicines in the UK.

Ross Anderton, aged 22 months, was diagnosed with Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare cancer of the muscle tissue that affects less than 60 children in the UK every a year - in August.

His parents Lesley and Andy are anxiously waiting to hear whether the NHS will fund a course of 'Proton Beam Therapy' treatment, that costs approximately £120,500 ($200,000) and is not yet available in the UK, to prevent Ross experiencing the harrowing side-effects of traditional radiation therapy, including disfigurement and an increased chance of cancer returning in later life.

If the family, who live in George Crescent, don't receive NHS approval, they are faced with trying to raise at least £300,000 to fund both the treatment and the cost of travelling to and living in America for around two months while Ross receives care.

Ross's mum, Lesley, told the Courier: "We've had discussions with a cosmetic surgeon at the Sick Kids and the ideas he was putting forward for if and when Ross was given radiation therapy were horrific.

"You know how cruel kids can be and how bullying can easily occur because of the way someone looks - that can have a terrible effect on a person's life, their career choices and the way they feel about themselves.

"Ross has already been through so much - we just want him to have the best quality of life he can and the life we took for granted he would have."

The tot, who loves playing with big sister Katie, aged three, and is a big fan of "a boogie", has already undergone a number of cycles of chemotherapy to shrink the tumour in his eye, however it has not worked well enough to clear it completely and further treatment is needed.

As any radiation will be targeted to the muscle underneath and towards the inner eye, very close to the pituitary gland - responsible for Ross' growth - and the front of his brain, where learning and development could be affected.

He'll also need cranio-facial surgery, as his facial bones and their growth will be affected by it.

Unlike conventional 'photon' radiation therapy - the only option available to Ross in the UK - Proton Beam radiotherapy targets tumour cells more precisely, allowing higher doses of radiation while also reducing the side-effects to surrounding healthy tissue.

Family and friends of Lesley and Andy, who works part-time at Cockenzie Power Station, have rallied round to support the family, including Ormiston mother-of-two and family friend Michelle Outerson, who is staging two events next month to raise funds for Ross.

So far, £3,500 has been raised, and on Friday, December 11, a fun-filled party night takes place in Macmerry Miners' Club, at 7.30pm.

And at noon on Saturday, December 12 a team of fundraisers will wear wacky fancy dress and walk the 5.5 miles from the Coalgate Inn in Ormiston to the Brig Inn in Tranent, and back. All ages are welcome to taeke part, though anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Haddington Pipe Band has also kindly agreed to take part in the walk and Michelle, 27, is hopeful that plenty of supporters will line the route to cheer on the walkers.

"It would be great to see a big crowd turn out on the day as we'll be walking through Tranent High Street and with the band supporting us as well it's sure to be a great show," she said.

"Everybody has really came together in the village to help Lesley and Andy and the response has been amazing."

Anyone wishing to get involved in the sponsored walk or purchase tickets, priced at £6 each, towards the party night can contact Michelle on 01875 612668. Any contributions of raffle prizes would also be greatly appreciated.

To make a donation to Ross or find out more about the fundraising campaign, visit www.giverossafuture.org.uk for Lesley's contact details.