Ermington’s Ben Morris part of Jeans for Genes Day 2020 on August 7
A western Sydney boy diagnosed with the “Usain Bolt of cancers” is one of the faces of the annual Jeans for Genes campaign, which aims to raise funds for lifesaving research.
Parramatta
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When Ermington’s Ben Morris was supposed to be enjoying his first Aussie Christmas with his grandparents three years ago he was battling unexplained vomiting bouts.
The youngster, who is part of this year’s Jeans for Genes Day, was living with his parents, Australian-born Peter, and US-born Melanie, in Costa Rica in 2017 when he fell ill.
“During all those plans we had for Christmas, seeing fireworks and hanging out with family and that kind of thing, it became increasingly difficult, because Ben was having these unexplained vomiting incidents,’’ Mr Morris said.
In January he was rushed to hospital and ended up in intensive care. A day later Ben, who is now six, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare and highly aggressive cancer which can develop in a matter of days.
“What we saw when we looked into Burkitt lymphoma is it’s the fastest growing human tumour,’’ Mr Morris said.
“So, to us it was like the Usain Bolt of cancers. But we were being told that was a good thing. It grows fast and chemotherapy is something that works on the fast-growing cells.’’
Over the next six months, Ben was in hospital for 96 nights. Sometimes he would be on chemotherapy for 22 hours at a time, over five days.
Ben went into remission after six months, but Mr Morris said nothing was ever the same.
The family was the first they knew to go into voluntary isolation, when COVID-19 broke out, making sure their four children did not leave their property to protect Ben’s suppressed immune system.
The family’s ordeal has inspired them to become part of this year’s Jeans for Genes campaign, which supports the Children’s Medical Research Institute to undertake research in an effort to find cures for children’s genetic diseases.
“If the cancer were to come back, there’s no additional medicine that’s being held up the doctor’s sleeve, there’s no there’s no other alternatives,’’ Mr Morris said.
“And so basically, the cancer is aggressive. If it comes back, it’s really dire, medically speaking.’’
He said research was critical.
“For us, it was the brave decisions of parents of kids who died from cancer, as well as kids who’d survived cancer, contributing to and supporting research.
“So, for us, research is critical. I think one of the defining memories of my life now is that moment receiving the diagnosis that Ben had cancer. And one of the things I’m most thankful for is the investments that other people made before us.’’
Visit jeansforgenes.org.au to make a donation.