An emotional appeal has been launched to help a 26-year-old with terminal cancer fulfil his dreams – after he was diagnosed with leukaemia for the third time.
Joel Gray wants to marry his girlfriend and a fundraiser to help the couple achieve their dream has already smashed the initial target of £1,000 and is currently sitting at more than three-and-a-half times that.
Joel Gray was just 17 when he was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and aggressive form of cancer in 2012.
“It was so aggressive, they started chemotherapy on the same day in hospital,” said sister Jade Gray, 26, who lives off Wigton Road in Carlisle.
“He was really poorly for a long time in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and he fought really hard and he was told he was in remission in 2015.”
Three years later the cancer returned.
“It wasn’t just the first cancer; it was both acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and he went through chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was really awful and we had to say our goodbyes because we thought he wasn’t going to make it,” said Jade.
The only option was a bone marrow transplant, with an eligible donor from Germany stepping forward.
“He again fought really hard against it was told he was in remission again,” continued Jade. “He had a number of issues off the back of it.”
Knee swelling
The treatment had meant his bones had now begun to rot and he became very ill.
Earlier this month, Joel sought medical advice after he noticed swelling on his knee.
“He went to hospital and did some tests and they explained to him that the cancer was back, but this time there was nothing they could do,” said Jade.
A fundraiser has now been started by family friend Stuart Drummond, based in Stirling. Joel moved to the Scottish city to be with his girlfriend, after living in Carlisle before that.
He will soon return to his home city to be closer to his family.
“We are trying to raise as much money as we can, he doesn’t know how long he has left,” said Jade.
“The cancer is really aggressive. It could be anywhere between a few days and a few months.
“What makes it all the more difficult is we don’t know how long we are going to have him with us. We are trying to enjoy every day.”
Main goal
Joel has one overriding thing he wants to do with the time he has left.
“He wants to marry his girlfriend before he passes away, that is his biggest wish,” said Jade.
The whole ordeal has been immensely difficult for Joel and his family.
“The most difficult for me is having to watch him have such an awful life from the age of 17,” said Jade.
“He hasn’t been able to do the things normal people do. To see him have his life cut short is devastating.
“He hasn’t had a normal life to begin with (Joel also has autism) and to have to deal with this is heart-breaking and it is heart-breaking to think my little boy won’t have Uncle Joe and his mum won’t have her son.
“No parent should have to lay their child to rest.”
The treatments have meant even the simple things he loved most – like kickboxing – have been impossible.
To donate to the fundraiser, click below.
