Mum’s Grateful Run Raises Vital Funds For Our Hospital 

A grateful mum ran the Great North Run and raised over £2,500 for our charity to say thank you for her son’s life-changing surgery.

Jenny Hammett, from West Lancashire, took on the iconic half marathon route after our medics removed a cancerous tumour from her son’s thighbone and reconstructed his leg, so he can learn how to walk again, and have the chance of a future where he can run, play sports and be active like any other teenager.

At the end of last year, 13-year-old Jack started waking up in the night with an aching pain in his leg. Wanting to get it checked out, Jenny took Jack to their GP, who referred them to their local paediatric A&E straight away.

While sitting in their local A&E on New Year’s Eve, Jenny and Jack received the news that would change their worlds forever: Jack had a tumour on his thigh bone, which might be cancerous. The news came as such a terrible shock. For Jenny, it felt as though time stood still.

More tests were urgently needed, and Jack was transferred to our Children’s Hospital for specialist treatment. In early January, he had his first operation—a bone biopsy—to find out exactly what the tumour was. The results confirmed the family’s worst fears: Jack had osteosarcoma in his femur, a rare and aggressive bone cancer.

The months that followed were a whirlwind of treatment and hospital visits. Jack went through twelve weeks of gruelling chemotherapy at his local children’s hospital, and while he seemed to respond well to his treatment, he also faced more worries about his future. Doctors explained that there were two options for Jack’s treatment: they could replace his thigh bone, knee and part of his tibia with metal work, or they could perform biological construction surgery.

Jack came back to Birmingham, where our hospital’s surgical team were able to perform a 13-hour surgery to remove Jack’s tumour and rebuild his leg using bone from his lower leg. Jack’s mum could only wait in worry and hope while surgeons worked hard to give Jack back his mobility and the best possible chance for his future.

At last, Jenny received the good news that her son was out of surgery and doing well. The very first thing Jack said as he woke from the anaesthetic was: “This hospital has saved my life” – words which Jenny says will stay with her forever.

Jack continues to recover well and receive treatment at our hospital, and his family are filled with hope for his future, and feel so thankful for the support he received.

Jenny said: “Our family are forever grateful to Jack’s surgeon, his team, the plastic surgery team and every single doctor, nurse and member of staff who has cared for Jack. Their skill, compassion, and dedication have carried our whole family through the darkest of days.”

Inspired to show her gratitude, Jenny signed up for the Great North Run while Jack was having his bone biopsy surgery. A keen runner, Jenny rallied her friends and family to support patients in Jack’s name, sharing his story on social media. She was completely stunned by the generous response, knowing just how much it meant to her and her son.

Jenny commented: “We could never repay everything the hospital has done but running the Great North Run was my way of giving something back. Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps Birmingham Children’s Hospital continue providing life-saving care to children and families facing the unimaginable.

“This isn’t the end of our family’s fundraising, and we hope that next year, Jack will be able to join in too. He’s so grateful for what the hospital has done for him.”

Annie Eytle, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Jack and his family have been on such journey, and shown incredible courage and resilience through difficult circumstances.

“We’re extremely grateful to Jenny for taking on the Great North Run for our hospital and the money she’s raised will help us fund the best possible equipment, experiences and hospital environments for brave patients like Jack.”