Farewell, Joe

Hundreds of balloons drifted into the sky as the mist parted and the sun streamed through. 

They had been released by family and friends to raise money for leukaemia research in memory of teenager Joe after his emotional funeral at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin, on Tuesday.

Joe, 16, of Old Hale Way, Hitchin, died earlier this month after a 14 month battle fighting two types of leukaemia.

The popular youngster, a pupil at the Priory School, gained tremendous admiration for his brave battle against the illness. Last year he underwent a bone marrow transplant and he seemed to have beaten the disease but three weeks ago the leukaemia returned.

Mourners filled every seat in the church while many members of the public who had read of Joe’s courage in The Comet stood in silent tribute outside in the streets as the hearse carrying his coffin arrived.

Inside St Mary’s, teenagers from Year 11 at the Priory School where Joe was an outstanding student, and family and friends were united in their grief with tears flowing throughout the hour-long service conducted by the Rev Michael Roden and the Rev Jane Mainwaring.

Joe’s mother Sue, watched by husband Dave and daughter Jess, Joe’s twin, and Ellie, also showed great courage fighting through her emotions saying “He was a busy busy boy with so many plans.

“At home his name was Felix, a name he was given after skidding on the cat food in the kitchen

“So far we have had 214 sympathy cards from people who have read about Joe which is a testament to the high regard they felt for him.

“He was inspiring and never complained. He was an absolute star who touched the hearts of so many people over his 16 years.”

Joe’s sisters also made an emotional farewell to their brother with Ellie finished with the words “i look into the night sky and think of you as the brightest star. Sweet dreams, Joe.”

Close school friends Jack Bottesch put the feelings of his Priory colleagues in perspective saying “Nobody will forget Joe’s smile. He had a tremendous innder strength to try and beat his disease. In the final stages of the illness he still tried to have fun.

“He touched so many peoples lives and i say to all his friends, on your 18th birthdays, when you are old enough to drink, raise your glass in toast to Joe.”

Head of Year 11 Trevor Wilson spoke of Joe’s last days and visiting him at home.

“After the dreadful diagnosis that leukaemia cells had been found in his bone marrow, Joe sat calmly with me on the settee, after eating his bacon sandwich, an, with his usual smile, discussed his wish list for the next two weeks.

“On Friday, March 16 (the day Joe died) I visited Joe in his bedroom and we were all aware there was not much time left. I discussed Joe’s design folder with his parents.

“As i reached and said goodbye his right eye partly opened and i knew Joe had heard everything we had said.”

Tragic Death Of Joe

Brave schoolboy Joe has lost his fight to beat leukaemia and died on Friday, eight days after celebrating his 16th birthday.

Joe, a pupil at Priory School, Hitchin, passed away at the family home in Old Hale Way in the town surrounded by his parents Sue, 41 and Dave, 48 and sisters, twin Jess and Ellie, 14.

After Joe had been diagnosed with two types of leukaemia on Friday, January 13, last year, The Comet supported the family in their quest to find a bone marrow donor. Family and friends also held a series of events to raise money to help the family at they cared for Joe.

A suitable bone marrow donor was eventually found in Canada and Joe underwent the transplant at Bristol Children’s Hospital in May and then returned to school.

Three weeks ago Joe returned home from school complaining of headacches and told his parents he feared the illness had returned.
The following day his mother took him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, where doctors confirmed those fears, that the leukaemia had returned and his life expectancy was measured in weeks.

His parents then put together a plan to try to make every one of Joe’s last wishes come true. He went to Southend and skimmed stones on the sea, went ice skating, go-karting, bowling and flew in a helicopter and travelled in a stretch limo. He even plucked up the courage, despite being in pain, to travel at 142mph on the back of a motorbike at a race track.

He fought through the pain to the end with his courage gaining admiration from everyone who met him.

This week his mother spoke about her son’s fight for life and the legacy he has left for so many young people to admire and remember. “When i told him i was taking him back to Addenbrooke’s he did not put up any resistance” said Sue. “They examined Joe and took his bloods. It was only when the CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Children) nurses sat in the room my stomach churned. The disease had returned.

“All that could be done had been. If Joe had not had the bone marrow transplant then that would have been a possibility. We decided that instead of sending Joe back to hospital for treatment whatever oral chemo was available would be taken at home. Joe wanted to know how long her had. I thought it would be like a big countdown and do him no favours so i kept this from him. All Joe wanted to do was go home and see his sisters. From that afternoon, when we started telling people, everyone rallied to help us and the next 12 days were jammed with whatever Joe wanted to do until the last three days when his illness kept him in bed.”

Sue added “We try not to have regrets. As a family we did what we could in the time we had left. Joe wanted to go out as much as possible. Joe’s thought to me were ‘i can’t die. i hate too much to do’. But in spite of the relapse he never once said ‘why?’ or ‘it’s not fair’. All he asked me to do was not let the girls waste their lives. Jess and Ellie have been absolutely fantastic. A week after Joe relapsed he asked me to take him into town as he had some money saved saying it was no use to him now and wanted to buy something for his sisters. He looked around the jeweller’s and chose a piece for his sweetheart and something for his sisters which he gave to them the day before he died. Joe touched so many peoples lives with his bravery and never complained once about his illness”

Pupils in Year 11 at Priory School held an emotional assembly on Monday conducted by head of year Trevor Wilson where they heard of Joe’s death.
Before he died the school had informed Joe what grades he would be awarded for his GCSE’s which included two A*s for resistand materials and electronics, a remarkable acheivment in view of the short amount of time Joe had to complete his coursework.

“He was a wonderful young man, always with a ready smile and for 15 months during treatment he never complained” said Mr Wilson. “On the day he died i went to see him at home and he was in pain but managed to flicker his right eye in a response to me. It was an honour and pleasure to teach him. He was a courageous boy who will always be remembered.”

Joes funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church, Hitchin, on Tuesday at 11:45am followed by a private cremation at Stopsley. On that day the Priory School will also be closed in Joe’s memory so pupils can attend the service.
Instead of flowers there will be a collection at the church for balloons that will be released together after the service. All the money will go to Leukaemia Research.

Joe’s An Inspiration

Joe has been nominated for a Pride of Comet Country award for his inspirational attitude while battling a rare form of leukaemia.

Joe, 15, of Hitchin, was diagnosed in January. He had a transplant last Friday.

Joe’s cousin Laura told The Comet “It was a life changing shock not only to his family but his friends and anyone who knows him.

“However, through all of his treatment, his search for a bone marrow donor and the pain and suffering he has had to endure, the smile has never left Joe’s face.

“Without his positive attitude, his parents wouldn’t have had the strength to support
him. I don’t think he quite realised what a difference his attitude has made to those who are supporting him through his treatment.”

She said his school friends have been incredible by visiting him as much as they can.

She said “You can see by readinf the messages on his website how much he is loved by both his peers and adults alike.

“An amazing young man with incredible courage, i want him to know how proud i am of his battle against cancer and tell him how much he has impressed not only me, but everyone around him with his fantastic outlook on the awful situation he was thrust into.”

Joe’s transplant took place on Friday and went very well. It started at 7pm and took 5hours 15minutes.

Joe’s mum Sue said “Joe’s doing really well but tired – he’s sleeping lots and eating loads. He’s in isolation now so is really glad he has his laptop so he can communicate with his friends that way!”

Friends Rally Round For Joe

Friends of a teenager with leukaemia have raised thousands of pounds for the family.

Joe, 15, of Old Hale Way in Hitchin, was diagnosed with two types of leukaemia on Friday, January 13, but is due to have a bone marrow transplant tomorrow (Friday).

The transplant goes ahead after months of searching for a match. A donor was finally found in Canada. He will give his bone marrow today (Thursday) and have it flown fresh to the UK for Friday.

Joe and his parents are currently staying at Sam’s House, run by a CLIC Sargent. It is a purpose built home for families of children undergoing bone marrow transplants.
One the day of the transplant Joe will go into an isolation bay for a month to prevent infection. He will have a special clean diet.

After this time he will have to stay in a hostel for two months.

A fundraising ball held on Saturday raised £9,200 through ticket sales, an auction and raffle. More than 200 people attended the event held at the Stevenage Thistle Hotel in Little Wymondley.

At the event Joe’s sister Ellie read out a speech written by Joe’s mum Sue, as they couldn’t attend as they are at Bristol Childrens Hospital.

Joe’s cousin Laura told The Comet “it was heartfelt and sincere, thanked everyone for attending and for the support they’ve received throughout Joe’s illness.”

Sue’s friends Lesley, one of the organisers, said “it will be completely up to Sue and Dave what they do with the money – our intection was to initially help them financially should they require it, then the rest is up to them. However, we had no idea that we would raise this much.”

A Donor For Joe

The family of a teenager with leukaemia is celebrating after finding a donor – across the Atlantic Ocean in Canada.

Joe, 15, of Old Hale Way in Hitchin was diagnosed with two types of leukaemia on January 13. Since then his family has been appealing for local residents to join the bone marrow donor register.

The recent blood sessions in Hitchin recruited another 60 people onto the register but a full match was found in Canada. The family only know that the donor is a young man from Canada. He will make his donation in his home country and it will be flown over to the UK.

Joe and his parents Sue and Dave will travel to Bristol Childrens Hospital this weekend so that Joe can have his own marrow “harvested” while he is in remission, in case the donor is rejected. On the day of the transplant, expected to be within the next two weeks, Joe will go into an isolation bay for a month to prevent infection. He will have a special clean diet. After this time he will have to stay in a hostel for two months.

Joe’s mum Sue said: “I’m not looking forward to the time so far away from family and friends – it’s not like being 45 minutes down the road. We’ve had so much support from everyone that it will be difficult to be such a long way from all of it. “We feel like we are probably halfway through treatment but this next step is a very critical stage as there is a risk of donor rejection. “Joe is in remission at the moment and may never relapse – but if he does, his condition will be harder to treat second time around.

“Every new step brings new hurdles to get through. Joe looks at every hurdle and figures a practical, mature way round it. He’s not worried about the transplant but looks forward to the time when he can come out of isolation and get back to his home environment.” She said her whole family are continually surprised by people’s kindness. “Even people who don’t know him have been sending gifts and get well messages,” Sue explained.

Readers Donate To Help Joe

THANK you so much. That is the message from the family of 15-year-old Joe, to everyone who has registered to become a bone marrow donor.

The National Blood Service has seen an increase in people attending blood donor sessions in Comet country since The Comet publicised the plight of Joe, from Old Hale Way in Hitchin.

But the search continues to find him a suitable match after he was diagnosed with leukaemia in January. He has had chemotherapy but needs a bone marrow transplant after his was damaged by the treatment. Joe’s two sisters are not a close enough match and the search continues for a volunteer donor.
Joe’s cousin Laura told The Comet “There has been a serious influx of people going to give blood and get rigerstered as donors so on behalf of the family i’d like to express sincerest thanks to everyone who has taken time out of their lives to try and help Joe. “It means so much to us that people who don’t know him are trying their hardest to help us.”

Rebecca Kalozois, from National Blood Service said “Joining the British Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR_ is easy. You must be a blood donor and ages between 18 and 44. Just let staff at the donor session know when you arrive and they will take another small sample of blood for tissue typing. By joining the register you could give the gift of life to someone who really needs it.” To find out where your nearest session is, call the National Donor Helpline on 08457 711711 or log onto www.blood.co.uk

Joe’s father, David, is encouraging readers to go along to an upcoming blood donor session in the area to give blood and join the BBMR. “It means so much to us that people who don’t know him are trying their hardest to healp us.”

Sessions taking place soon are:

*Tuesday, April 4 at Hitchin Town Hall from 12:15pm-3:30pm and 5pm-7:30pm.

*Monday, April 17 at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Center, Ellen Trry Room, Lytton Way. Times are 9:15am-12:30pm and 2pm-4:15pm.

*Friday, April 21 at Hitchin Town Hall from 12:15pm-3:30pm and 5pm-7:30pm.

*A FUNDRAISING ball has been organised to raise money for Joe. It will be held at the Thistle (Blakemore) Hotel in Little Wymondley on Saturday, May 13.

A raffle and auction are being help with prizes such as a week’s accomodation in a Florida villa up for grabs. Tickets are £30 and the price includes a three-course meal and dancing until 1:30am.

Donors Rally To Help Joe

MORE bone marrow donors are needed to help a teenager suffering from leukaemia continue with his treatment. 

Joe, 14, of Old Hale Way in Hitchin, was diagnosed with two types of leukaemia on Friday, January 13. Following The Comets article last week many people attended blood donor sessions in Hitchin on Friday. Mum Sue said “I went myself on Friday evening to give blood and to register and a donor carer told me they had taken in the region of 50 donations for bone marrow.”

Sue and his dad David have renewed their appeal to find Joe a donor.

Sue told The Comet “The more donors on the register the better chance everyone has, not just Joe”. Joe, a student at Priory School in Hitchin, said “Mum went in to school and tool a Year 10 assembly, clarifying to all of my friends what leukaemia is.” “Then, unbeknown to me and mum, the school had a collection and some of my friends came to visit me with loads of presents.” “I’ve had so many visitors and my school have done a lot of fundraising for Leukaemia Research which is great. I want the treatment to be over so i can get back to the way things used to be and to get involved in the fundraising.”

Sue told of the days before Joe’s diagnosis. After three days off of school with flu-like symptom. Joe visited his GP about a pain he was experiencing in his chest and arm. His GP did not hesitate in referring him straight to Lister Hospital, Stevenage, to undergo tests for suspected thrombosis. She said “At 4pm we were given the news that every parent dreads – his blood tests showed leukaemia. An ambulance took us to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, and following further tests, by 10pm that same evening, we were given the results.”

Since being diagnoses, Joe has been in hospital.

Joe has a twin sister, Jess, and a younger sister, Ellie. Although both girls have been tested to see if they are a bone marrow match for Joe, neither of them is. “Whoever is reading this article has as much chance of being a bone marrow match for Joe as any of his cousins or other family members,” explained Sue. “All of our family members are getting tested now and there are up to 200 new people a day joining the bone marrow register but we’d like to ask people to help us. When you give blood, express your interest to the nurse before you give and they will take an extra sample which will be sent off and tested. The results will then be added to the register and you will be contacted if you’re a match.”

Father in Call for Bone Marrow Donors

A father is appealing for more people to sign up to the bone marrow donor register after his active son was diagnosed with leukaemia.

Joe, 14, of Old Hale Way in Hitchin was diagnosed with two types of leukaemia on Friday, January 13. His dad David said “He was a normal active teenager. It was a terrible shock to all of us.”
Since being diagnosed, Priory School pupil Joe has been in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. He has already had chemotherapy but now needs a bone marrow transplant after his was damaged by the treatment. Joe has a twin sister, Jessica, and another sister Ellie, but both girls are not a close enough match.
David said “The more people on the register the more likely it is we will find a match. We need to find a match for the treatment to continue.” He is encouraging people to go to Hitchin Town Hall tomorrow (Friday) from 12:15pm to 1:30pm and 5pm to 7:30pm to sign up for the bone marrow register.

A National Blood Service spokesman said “In order to detroy all the leukaemia cells it may be necessary to use treatment so strong that it completely destroys the bone marrow, in which case a bone marrow or stem cell transplant must be given to restore blood cell production.”
“Without the stem cells to produce blood the patient will not survive. So you can see, when we say ‘bone marrow saves lives’ we really mean it.”