Appeal for Jess passes £10k mark

A brave teenager fighting a rare form of liver cancer could soon undergo life-saving surgery after an appeal smashed through the £10,000 barrier.

But Jessica Glynn, aged 17, must first be given a course of chemotherapy to shrink tumours that have spread since the fundraising drive was launched in June. Mum Lisa says she is amazed at the generosity of those who have helped reach the target so quickly. Leading the effort has been Jess’s school, Smestow in Wolverhampton, having pulled in around £3,500.

Her former primary school, Castlecroft, has weighed in with a further £700 and the Debbie Marston Cancer Appeal has contributed £1,000.

Jessica, from Castlecroft, has suffered from fibrolamellar hepatocelluar carcinoma for around three years. There are only five cases a year in the UK and around 200 worldwide.

It started in her liver and she underwent her first major operation to remove the tumour in December 2004.

The 10-hour surgery cut away 80 per cent of her liver and her gall bladder.

After continued operations and chemotherapy, her family was told in November last year that doctors could do no more for her but she refused to give up.

She is currently being treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The cash will pay for revolutionary treatment in Belgium which could save her life.

Jessica eventually wants to set up a registered charity to help others with liver cancer and has decided that if any money raised is not used for her treatment, it will be donated to liver cancer research.

Lisa said: “We would like to thank all pupils, staff and parents at Smestow School and Castlecroft Primary School

“We have all been overwhelmed at the effort made by both schools.

“We would also like to thank all staff at City of Wolverhampton College for their kind donations on their staff development day and the college’s student union.

“Also we would like to thank all the people who have have worked so hard fundraising and those who have made personal donations.

“We would also like to thank the Debbie Marston Cancer Appeal.”