Ian looses brave battle against cancer
Thursday, 9th January 2003.
PARENTS of a 10-year-old boy who lost his brave battle against cancer on Boxing Day have thanked the community for helping to make many of his young dreams come true.
Ian Rogerson, of Glemsford Place, Haverhill, would have been 11 next month, but died at the Milton Children's Hospice surrounded by his family on December 26.
His parents Anne and Brian and older brother Keith, 14, have an album full of precious memories of trips made with Ian over the past year -- including a visit to EuroDisney.
Many of them were made possible by generous friends at Highpoint Prison, the Hi Impact gym in Haverhill and the Make a Wish charity.
Just over a year ago, Ian was treated like royalty when he visited Ipswich Town Football Club and met his hero, Alan Shearer, playing for visiting Newcastle United. He later travelled to Newcastle to see his favourite team play.
When his health was good enough his family took Ian potholing and kayaking, he went on the London Eye, rally driving, on helicopter and bi-plane rides and visited RAF bases.
Ian, who attended Westfield Primary, then Chalkstone Middle School, was diagnosed two years ago with Ewing soft cell carcoma on his ribs and had his first chemotherapy session on his ninth birthday. He endured intensive chemotherapy until last February, when his parents were told it was not working. Since then he was receiving less intensive treatment and his parents tried to do everything they could with him.
"He never complained about the pain he was in," said Mrs Rogerson. "We decided to spend as much quality time with him as we could and the help we have had has meant we could do things we might never have been able to do with him otherwise.
"It gave him something to fight for and something to look forward to."
Although the family only moved to Haverhill in 1991, they had been overwhelmed by the efforts made by the local community for Ian.
"We have had so many things done for us and the kindness that has been shown has been really extraordinary," said Mr Rogerson.
"The way people have put themselves out has been really nice.
"People at the prison have been really good and some of the inmates even heard about it and did some fundraising themselves. The treatment he received at Addenbrooke's and at the hospice was first class.".
Ian's funeral was due to be held at the West Suffolk Crematorium today, 9 January, at 10.30am.
Ian Rogerson, of Glemsford Place, Haverhill, would have been 11 next month, but died at the Milton Children's Hospice surrounded by his family on December 26.
His parents Anne and Brian and older brother Keith, 14, have an album full of precious memories of trips made with Ian over the past year -- including a visit to EuroDisney.
Many of them were made possible by generous friends at Highpoint Prison, the Hi Impact gym in Haverhill and the Make a Wish charity.
Just over a year ago, Ian was treated like royalty when he visited Ipswich Town Football Club and met his hero, Alan Shearer, playing for visiting Newcastle United. He later travelled to Newcastle to see his favourite team play.
When his health was good enough his family took Ian potholing and kayaking, he went on the London Eye, rally driving, on helicopter and bi-plane rides and visited RAF bases.
Ian, who attended Westfield Primary, then Chalkstone Middle School, was diagnosed two years ago with Ewing soft cell carcoma on his ribs and had his first chemotherapy session on his ninth birthday. He endured intensive chemotherapy until last February, when his parents were told it was not working. Since then he was receiving less intensive treatment and his parents tried to do everything they could with him.
"He never complained about the pain he was in," said Mrs Rogerson. "We decided to spend as much quality time with him as we could and the help we have had has meant we could do things we might never have been able to do with him otherwise.
"It gave him something to fight for and something to look forward to."
Although the family only moved to Haverhill in 1991, they had been overwhelmed by the efforts made by the local community for Ian.
"We have had so many things done for us and the kindness that has been shown has been really extraordinary," said Mr Rogerson.
"The way people have put themselves out has been really nice.
"People at the prison have been really good and some of the inmates even heard about it and did some fundraising themselves. The treatment he received at Addenbrooke's and at the hospice was first class.".
Ian's funeral was due to be held at the West Suffolk Crematorium today, 9 January, at 10.30am.
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