A radio presenter is backing Great Ormond Street Hospital's "biggest ever" fundraiser after surviving cancer as a child.
Halstead resident and BBC Radio Essex presenter, Jake Peach is supporting the charity's efforts to raise money to build a world-leading Children's Cancer Centre at the hospital in London.
Now in his late 20s, Jake was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) as a child for a rare type of leukaemia - a cancer that was so aggressive, it was thought that Jake might never walk again.
After developing unexplained bruises, eczema and a cold that lasted all winter, Jake was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia on Mother's Day in 2008, aged 11, after a blood test showed that his white blood cell count was really low.
He was instantly transferred to GOSH and started on an intensive treatment plan which included four rounds of chemo which completely wiped out his immune system.
After catching an infection, Jake was put in an induced coma and then put on a ventilator for 30 days.
When he woke up, he couldn't eat, swallow, speak or move and had to relearn everything.
Thanks to the dedication of the hospital's physiotherapists, Jake was able to make a full recovery - something that many people didn't think was possible.
Jake told the Gazette being diagnosed with cancer turned his and his family's lives "upside down".
He said: "Within days, gone was the usual routine of life and before you knew it, the focus became one thing; beating cancer and getting a second chance at life.
"When I got to GOSH, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, which was a more aggressive form, meaning I had to start intensive chemotherapy.
"However, the first course of treatment quickly led to some serious complications. I became very unwell with a chest infection, pneumonia, and breathing difficulties, and was eventually placed in an induced coma for 30 days.
"I had 13 different machines keeping me alive, with doctors not leaving my side, because of the seriousness of my condition."
He added: "When I woke up, I couldn’t speak or move properly and had to relearn basic things like eating, standing, and walking.
"It was a long and frightening recovery, but the physios, nurses, and doctors were incredible and supported me throughout.
"My mum was full of praise for everyone who was taking care of me, she said they became like family."
During his time at the hospital, Jake was visited by Kelly Rowland, who sang with him, and was taken to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix.
He added: "These experiences made a big difference during a very difficult time and helped me maintain a sense of a normal childhood – something that the charity does so much to try and protect for seriously ill children."
Whilst he was at hospital, he kept a video diary and volunteered for the hospital's radio station, something which Jake credits as inspiring his career today.
Jake also won a Pride of Britain award in 2009 after being surprised by Gary Barlow in the hospital.
Having already fundraised for the charity, Jake is now supporting the appeal to build a new Children's Cancer Centre at the hospital, which is currently under construction.
Once complete, the state-of-the-art new facility will help drive transformation in children's cancer care and save more lives, ensuring children still experience childhood when going through one of the toughest journeys of their lives.
The centre will bring GOSH cancer services together in one place.
Speaking about the new centre, Jake said: "We all hope that one day we’ll beat cancer completely, but until then, every new project, opportunity, facility and resource really matters.
"I’ve been a huge supporter of GOSH Charity for years now – after what the hospital did for me; I want to do everything I can to give back to such an incredible cause.
"Having been through cancer treatment at GOSH myself, I know just how much the care, kindness, and support from the doctors, nurses, physios and all the wonderful staff, can mean during the hardest moments.
"Having a state-of-the-art new facility like the Children’s Cancer Centre will be game-changing for children and young people facing cancer, so I’m really proud to support the charity’s Build it. Beat it. appeal.
"The Children Cancer Centre will have the needs of children at its heart and will help pioneer new breakthroughs for the most rare and complex cancers, focusing on ground-breaking new research."
Jake told the Gazette Great Ormond Street is a "testament to everyone".
He added: "Not just me, but hundreds of other children in my situation, get another chance to go to school, have their dream career, and get married - to experience those life events we take for granted.
"GOSH is indescribable – I can't put a definition on just how much it means, or how life-transforming or lifesaving it is.
"Being able to give back to the doctors and nurses who saved my life means everything and I’ll never be able to repay anywhere close to the effect they had on my life."
For more information, visit www.gosh.nhs.uk
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