Harry Banks, just 12 years old, has faced more in his young life than most people experience in decades. A passionate sports fan, a typical schoolboy from Woburn Sands, Bucks, Harry was diagnosed with
Central Nervous System Neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and the news shook his entire family to the core.
It began when doctors realized that Harry urgently needed
life-saving treatment unavailable in the UK. The only hope was a complex immunotherapy trial in Barcelona — a treatment that carried not only medical risks but a staggering financial burden, running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Harry’s mother, Nina, 41, remembers the fear vividly: “This time last year we were told the tumour in Harry’s brain had to be removed but was highly likely to return. We honestly didn’t know if he would make it. It was one of the hardest moments of our lives.”
But hope arrived in the most unexpected form: the generosity of strangers. After Harry’s story was shared in the Sun on Sunday, readers rallied around the family. Within weeks, donations poured in from across the UK. Schools, choirs, sports teams, and community clubs held fundraising events. Even a young reader donated her birthday money. One anonymous donor contributed £50,000.
In total, an astounding £850,000 was raised, far exceeding the initial target, and giving Harry access to the critical treatment he desperately needed. Nina recalls, “You have helped us get Harry the treatment which has given him so much more of a chance in life. We are forever grateful.”
Harry traveled to Barcelona for the complex trial immunotherapy, receiving Omburtamab, a drug administered directly to his central nervous system via a surgically implanted dome-shaped device under his scalp. The thin, flexible tube delivers the treatment straight to the brain, targeting cancer cells in the most precise way possible. The treatment is gruelling, and each visit to Barcelona has tested Harry’s resilience — but the boy’s courage has never wavered.
Despite the challenges, there have been moments of joy. Harry was able to spend Christmas at home in the UK with his family, a rare respite from the hospital environment and the intense treatment schedule. “Having Harry back for Christmas was amazing,” says Nina. “He was able to be a normal boy for a few days, and that gave us all strength to keep going.”
The journey has not been easy. Harry has battled this rare cancer twice in four years, and each trip to Spain is physically and emotionally demanding. Nina and her husband Russ accompany him for treatment, testing, and monitoring. “It’s really tough on him,” Nina admits. “He’s so brave, but it’s exhausting for a child. Yet every session brings him closer to a future free from disease.”
Harry’s treatment continues, and while he is currently cancer-free, doctors stress the need for ongoing immunotherapy to ensure the disease does not return. Each follow-up, each infusion, is critical to protecting his young life. Nina says, “We still have lots of treatment ahead, but Harry has shown an incredible amount of courage and resilience. Every day he smiles and plays, and that gives us hope.”
The story of Harry Banks is not just about one child’s fight against a rare disease; it is a testament to community, compassion, and the power of human generosity. The money raised didn’t just pay for treatment — it gave a family hope when they felt helpless, and it gave Harry a second chance at life.
“Every time we see the generosity and support from others, it reminds us that we are not alone in this fight,” Nina reflects. “It’s a reminder that even in the darkest times, kindness can shine a light.”
Today, Harry continues to recover and thrive, his spirit unbroken by months of treatment and travel. With every passing day, he grows stronger, his laughter and energy slowly returning to the little boy who loves sports, playing with friends, and spending time with his family.
For the Banks family, the journey is far from over, but there is now reason to hope. Harry will continue his treatment in Barcelona, but armed with love, support, and the unwavering generosity of countless strangers, the boy who once faced an uncertain future now faces it with courage and optimism.
“Harry has been given a real chance at life,” says Nina. “And we will do everything we can to make sure he makes the most of it.”
The family continues to raise awareness and funds for Harry’s ongoing care through
GoFundMe, hoping to secure every resource necessary for the best possible outcome. It is a story of bravery, hope, and the extraordinary difference that community and compassion can make in the life of a child fighting for survival.
Henio’s Battle: From Laughter to Fear, and the Courage to Fight Back.3084
When our seven-year-old son, Henio, started limping in April, we thought it was nothing more than his playful antics—his own “super run,” as he liked to call it. A pediatric orthopedist diagnosed him with “spontaneous hip arthritis,” possibly linked to a prior coronavirus infection. For a while, it seemed under control, and our vigilance relaxed. But just a month later, the symptoms returned with a force that we could not ignore.
Blood tests and consultations initially suggested only minor inflammation. It didn’t sit right with us. Something deeper was wrong. A teleconsultation brought hope in the form of a doctor from Gdańsk who noticed alarming signs in Henio’s results. For the first time, the words “leukemia” and “cancer” were spoken. We were stunned. Our energetic, playful boy—full of life and laughter—was facing the unimaginable.
Due to distance, we searched for specialists in Warsaw. My sister managed to secure the first available appointment—on Children’s Day, a day that would forever change our lives. After an initial examination, Henio was referred to the hospital for urgent tests to rule out leukemia and neuroblastoma. That night, we held him close, trying to comfort him, while our hearts broke with worry for the life ahead.
On June 2, 2021, we checked into the hospital, bracing ourselves for what we could not yet comprehend. Henio, as always, brought laughter to everyone in the waiting room, oblivious to the storm about to hit his life. Blood tests, X-rays, and an ultrasound were performed. The results confirmed our worst fears: a tumor measuring 10 x 7 x 4.5 cm. We looked at him, still smiling, and felt terror wash over us. Could this really be happening? Could this energetic, unstoppable child really carry such a burden inside him?
A consultation confirmed the diagnosis: adrenal neuroblastoma. Henio needed to remain in the hospital for further detailed testing. We watched him snuggle into our arms, trying to sleep, while our minds raced with questions, fear, and disbelief. The little boy who had once run freely was now a patient—a battle had begun that we never expected.
The next two weeks were filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and countless tests. CT scans revealed the tumor had grown to 10 x 10 x 7.5 cm. Scintigraphy scans showed metastases in the right frontal lobe and left ilium, explaining the limp that had first alerted us. A biopsy confirmed bone marrow involvement.
During the medical conference, one phrase hit us harder than anything: “Your son was unlucky.” Henio was facing stage 4 neuroblastoma—a disease with a poor prognosis, demanding urgent, aggressive treatment using the COJEC protocol. Signing consent for his treatment felt like a pact with fate itself. We left the room in silence, hearts heavy, grappling with a world suddenly filled with fear and uncertainty.
On June 16, 2021, Henio received his first dose of chemotherapy—the “drip of life.” Despite every needle, every infusion, and the exhaustion of hospital life, he endured with the bravery only a child could summon. His energy remained, even if muted, and every small smile, every tiny laugh became a victory against the disease.
We focus on staying positive. Each day, we remind ourselves of the plan ahead: chemotherapy, tumor resection, radiotherapy, autologous bone marrow transplant, immunotherapy, and if eligible, a vaccine in the USA. We find strength in routines, in small moments of play, and in the warmth of family surrounding him.
Despite fear and uncertainty, Henio continues to bring joy to those around him. We strive to make the hospital feel like home, to shield him from despair, and to help him fight with the resilience that belies his young age. Every moment of laughter, every playful gesture, becomes a small rebellion against the disease that has intruded upon his life.
Now, more than ever, our mission is clear: Henio must feel safe, loved, and strong enough to face this battle. We will walk every step with him, fight alongside him, and do everything in our power to help him conquer the beast that has, without warning, invaded his body.
Henio’s journey is one of courage, hope, and unyielding love. It is the story of a family forced to grow stronger in the face of unimaginable challenges, and the story of a child whose spirit refuses to give in. Every day is a fight, every step a victory—and together, we hold onto hope for the life he deserves.
