American hope for brave Cradley Heath youngster Alex Ward

Jan 4 2008 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

A BOY dying of a brain tumour is hoping for life-saving treatment at one of the world's leading cancer centres in New York thanks to a children's charity.

Doctors at Birmingham Children's Hospital have said they can do no more for five-year-old Alex Ward, of Cradley Heath.

But now Bobbys Fund, which helps youngsters with serious illnesses, has stepped in to help the family. The charity is launching an intensive fundraising campaign, aiming to collect £300,000 in six months to give Alex the best possible chance of survival.

Alex, whose life-threatening tumour was discovered in the summer of 2006, appeared to be progressing well after surgery and chemo and radiotherapy.

But the world came crashing down for parents Mandy and Mike White in October when they were told that the tumour had returned.

Mrs White, aged 46, said: "Bobbys Fund has already done some amazing work with children like Alex and it is fantastic they have stepped in to help us. The cancer centre in New York is acknowledged as one of the world's best and it is our last hope."