ALEX is coming home! An inspirational Lutterworth lad has beaten cancer against the odds after receiving radical treatment in the USA.
Alex Goodwin, 10, has been receiving treatment for Ewing Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer, at specialist medical centres in Kansas since December.
The courageous kid had to undergo difficult surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy over many months – but the latest tests show the cancer has been destroyed. He is coming back to the UK this month.
Alex had to undergo difficult surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy over many months while he was in Kansas. (s)
Alex has inspired thousands of people on both sides of the pond to help him in his journey back to health – building a 33,000 army of Twitter followers.
And his dad, Rugby police constable Jeff Goodwin, has written a book about his family’s fight to save Alex after he was diagnosed last year.
Alex’s dad, Rugby police constable Jeff Goodwin, has written a book about his family’s fight to save him. (s)
Jeff said: “We were told that Alex may not last until Christmas 2016 so we managed to get him to Kansas City in the US for life saving treatment and here he is.
“Alex’s journey was and remains an amazing story where the Thin Blue Line in the UK and in the US came together to support my son.
“My friends and colleagues in Warwickshire and West Mercia Police stepped up and made sure we had the funds to get him the treatment he needed.
“He is coming home.”
Alex, from Dunton Bassett near Lutterworth, had surgery to replace his femur with a metal bone which can be extended as he grows. He will require treatment for many years to come, including further surgery, radiotherapy, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy – all of which will need to take place in Kansas.
In March, he spent nearly three weeks in limbo after being told he would have to leave the US two months before the treatment would have been complete.
But the Goodwins took their case to the top levels of the UK and US governments and Alex was given permission to stay.
Throughout his ordeal, Alex – who loves wildlife, natural history and science – kept a smile on his face for his social media followers.
Jeff’s book, Alexander’s Journey: Dum Spiro Spero (while I breathe, I hope), comes with a documentary DVD. All proceeds will go towards Alex’s follow-up rehabilitation.
Alex and Jeff will launch the book and DVD at Warwickshire Police headquarters in Leek Wootton on Thursday August 24 from 7pm until 9pm.
Visit Warwick Books at www.warwickbooks.net/menu or call 01926 499939 to order a copy.
Follow ‘Alexander’s Journey’ on Twitter to show your support for Alex.
