Ashley Cain sends message of hope to Sutton leukaemia survivor

Jackson Hall celebrated ringing the bell to signal the end of his almost life-long chemotherapy journey with cheers of support from family, friends, St George’s hospital staff and a video message from the famous former footballer as the day was marked ‘St Jackson’s Day’.

Ashley Cain raised £1.6million for his daughter who died from leukaemia at eight months old on April 24, 2021.

Ashley Cain, who has appeared on Ex on the Beach and SAS: Who Dares Wins found out that his daughter had aggressive leukaemia just two months after she was born in August 2020.

The family’s plight attracted the world’s attention and, in one final attempt to save their daughter’s life, Ashley Cain and his ex-partner Safiyya Vorajee, launched a fundraiser to pay for specialist treatment in Singapore.

Fans and celebrities rushed to donate, and the couple found themselves raising £1.6million, despite their target being £1million.

The message from Ashley Cain said: “You’re so strong, you’re so powerful and I’m so happy that today is the end of your treatment day – St Jackson’s Day.

“Let’s go champ!”

Jackson’s family showed their support at the bell-ringing event with ‘Jackson’s journey’ t-shirts and balloons.

Jackson finished his treatment last week, 1,176 days after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

As the day coincided with St George’s Day, and being treated at St George’s Hospital, his relatives aptly named the day ‘St Jackson’s Day’.

Shaun, Jackson’s dad, said: “Everything that St George’s has done, from the very beginning, has been reassuring.

“This marks new beginnings for Jackson and our family.”

Ashley Cain sends message of hope to Jackson, Sutton leukaemia survivor (Image: St George's Hospital)

Jackson was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on February 2, 2020, when he was just two-years-old.

Shaun and Jackson’s mum, Sam, noticed a rash that wouldn’t go away and took him to their local hospital where blood tests were taken.

Little did they know how much the diagnosis would impact their lives for the next few years, as Jackson was transferred to St George’s paediatric oncology unit.

The family say they felt reassured that Jackson was being cared for at St George’s – the same hospital where Jackson’s cousin was treated for meningitis, and where the family had a positive experience.

Shaun said: “The nurses on Pinckney ward have always gone above and beyond for us.

“My wife stayed in hospital with Jackson for two weeks as we couldn’t keep coming and going.

“The nurses cared for not just for Jackson, but Sam too. Nurse Fatou comforted Sam when she cried after waving to Jackson’s older sister, Ava, and I through the window.” 

Throughout his journey with leukaemia, Jackson received care from both St George’s and the Royal Marsden through their joint paediatric oncology service.

And over the time spent on St George’s Pinckney Ward and paediatric intensive care unit, Jackson and his family have seen the same nurses, building relationships with them.

Five-year-old Jackson beats Leukaemia (Image: St George's Hospital)

Naomi Oldreive, a Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist on St George’s Pinckney Ward, has been with Jackson all the way through his journey and organised his bell-ringing ceremony.

She said: “Ringing the end of treatment bell is a momentous occasion for patients and their family and we as an oncology team feel privileged to be part of that.

“It’s also an opportunity for Jackson and his parents to recognise how far he has come.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to be part of Jackson’s journey and to get to know his family.

“He has been a superstar and I will personally miss his smile and cheeky personality.

“We’ll all miss Jackson up on Pinckney Ward but look forward to seeing him in the outpatient department to hear all about what he has been doing.”