North Hampshire mum makes Leukaemia research appeal
Debbie Jacobs lost her son after a four year battle to save him
Last updated 15th Feb 2024
A north Hampshire-based mother whose 12-year-old son died of leukaemia has joined the charity Leukaemia UK on International Childhood Cancer Day in calling for more research into the blood cancer.
Leukaemia is the most common type of childhood cancer, accounting for around a third of all cancers in under 15s. Nine out of ten children survive, but the treatments, which have remained largely unchanged since the 1960s, are harsh and take a huge physical and emotional toll on both the child and the whole family.
Debbie Jacobs from Old Burghclere lost her son Jacob after a four year battle with the blood cancer. She wants to see more research not only into treatments that cure leukaemia but are less gruelling for the children undergoing them and their families.
Jacob's story
Jacob was born with Down’s Syndrome in 1998. He grew up to be an intelligent, highly functioning, permanently happy little boy. Jacob thrived in mainstream education, attending the local primary school and enjoying a huge circle of friends.
But in 2006 when he was eight he became lethargic, started having night sweats, and developed a pinprick rash on his legs. After being told by a GP it was probably a virus, Debbie’s Google searches revealed that Jacob’s symptoms matched those of leukaemia, and that children with Downs are between 10 and 30 times more likely to develop the blood cancer. Debbie called the NHS out of hours service and took Jacob straight to hospital in Swindon (the family at the time were living in Oxfordshire). He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Jacob spent eight weeks in hospital undergoing chemotherapy and was then sent home where he continued with the medication.
“He was very sick at times, tired and emotional,” said Debbie. “There were times when Jacob’s walking was affected by the treatment because of the weakness of muscles. I had to piggy back him upstairs to the bathroom and sometimes we had to use a wheelchair.”
At the end of the two-year maintenance treatment, Jacob, who was ten by then, was formally in remission and went back to school. But in February 2009 his symptoms returned and the family received the terrible news that Jacob had relapsed. “There was no stronger chemotherapy treatment available,” said Debbie. “Jacob was put on treatment to keep the leukaemia at bay but could not be cured. We were told he could have six months or, if lucky, two years to live.
The family organised a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Sicily with the grandparents where Jacob could eat as much Italian food as he wanted, and everyone could make memories.
“Jacob didn’t complain when sitting on the edge of the pool unable to get in the water because of his newly inserted Hickman line. Just being with everyone, having fun and eating was what made his world go round!”
Jacob died on October 16th 1998 at 12-and-a-half years old. Jacob’s parents raised money for Leukaemia UK as well as for a teenager room on the children’s cancer ward at The John Radcliffe. Jacob’s friend from primary school, Matt Rowell, 25, is running the London Marathon for Leukaemia UK in 2024 in memory of Jacob. “Throughout everything Jacob went through, his smile and bravery never faded,” said Matt.
Matt Rowell is fundraising for Leukaemia UK (justgiving.com)
Research into leukaemia has brought about a dramatic increase in survival rates in children in the last 50 years. Only 33% of children would live for more than five years after diagnosis between 1971 to 1975 - now 88% survive. *
Leukaemia UK is funding research projects which aim to find kinder, more effective treatments for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the most common childhood leukaemia, and other blood cancers that affect children. But the charity is calling for more donations so they can invest in further projects.