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“don’t be sad, smile things off and think happy thoughts - like fruit!”
Jordan David Thompson (aka Toma) was a teenager from Newcastle-upon-Tyne who was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukaemia (AML) on Valentines Day of 2006 at the age of 13.
He was a talented sportsman who, on top of playing for the Newcastle United Academy from the age of 10, also played cricket at county level and was a skilled golfer; so naturally the diagnosis came as a shock to Jordan and those around him.
Initially, Jordan endured chemotherapy and went into remission. During his recovery, he turned to his mother one day and said "I have one of two choices, either I turn my back on everything that has happened to me, walk away and try to forget or I continue helping others in the same kind of situation as I was in". Of course, Jordan chose the latter.
From that day onwards, Jordan made weekly visits to the ward at the RVI Newcastle to visit and encourage teenage cancer sufferers, trying to help them stay positive. He would quite often receive phonecalls from nurses on the ward, asking him to visit and talk to patients, which he loved to do. He also took part in many fundraising activities, in between socialising with the (mostly female) friends he had made during his stay in the hospital. Jordan felt these were true friends for life. On top of this, Jordan was beginning to regain his strength and even started to attend the Academy once more.
However, in April 2007, out of the blue Jordan relapsed. This came as a shock not only to his family and friends, but also his doctors. Routine blood tests revealed that the cancer had returned, meaning Jordan would have to face tougher chemotherapy, full body radiotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.
At first, treatment was successful and Jordan was allowed out of the isolation room for walks around the hospital. Sadly, despite signs of recovery, his persistent temperature was followed by a sudden deterioration and, tragically, just 7 weeks after his transplant, Jordan lost his life.
For those who knew him, Jordan’s lively, happy-go-lucky personality will be sorely missed. A popular, kind and caring young man, Jordan was an inspiration to those around him; never letting the smile disappear from his face, even throughout his illness.
In the light of Jordan’s many achievements, his family have set up the Toma Fund in his name. This charity will carry on what Jordan started – raising awareness and funds for the Teenage Cancer Unit (set up by the Teenage Cancer Trust) at Newcastle’s RVI hospital.
6 teenagers are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK alone and in the past 30 years, teenage cancer diagnosis has increased by 50%. In areas where no TCU is available, teenagers are either treated on a children’s ward or with adults – in either circumstance, they do not receive the emotional and moral support from sufferers their own age that they so badly need. Having their peers around them can help teenage cancer sufferers develop coping strategies to deal with their illness, as well providing comfortable, homely environments in which they can relax. The TCU at the RVI helped Jordan and his friends immensely and proceeds from the Toma Fund will mean that even more teenagers in the North East will have the benefit of this amazing centre.
Jordan once said, “I would never change what has happened to me, because I have met so many fabulous people, new friends, doctors and nurses…and a lot of well-known stars!”. Jordan’s resolve and spirit will live on through the work of the Toma Fund and we hope that you can help us on our mission to improve the lives of teenage cancer sufferers all across the North East.