At just four years old, Raffi Starkowitz’s life changed after his nursery noticed that he had suddenly begun walking unsteadily. What initially seemed like a minor illness led to tests and an MRI, which revealed a large tumour in his cerebellum. He was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he underwent a 10-hour emergency operation.

Doctors later diagnosed Raffi with a rare and aggressive form of medulloblastoma. He went through intensive chemotherapy and six weeks of daily radiotherapy, enduring infections and other difficult side effects along the way. Despite everything, his family says he continued to show remarkable courage and rarely lost his smile.

Then the family faced another devastating blow. While Raffi was undergoing treatment, his mother, Nicky, was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. She underwent surgery and began her own chemotherapy and radiotherapy while continuing to care for Raffi and his sisters.

More recent scans showed no visible disease, giving the family renewed hope. However, because Raffi’s cancer carries a high risk of returning, his family has been working to secure access to a two-year clinical programme in the United States. A fundraising campaign was launched to help cover the treatment and ᴀssociated costs.

Through two deeply difficult battles at the same time, Raffi and his family continue to hold onto hope — and to fight for the future this little boy deserves.

SOURCE:
Jewish News — Raffi Starkowitz’s story