The family of three-year-old Rocco Troiano is urging the government to make a life-saving vaccination available for him and other children fighting the neuroblastoma form of cancer. At present, the bivalent vaccine is available only in New York but the toddler’s family has so far raised almost two-thirds of the £230,000 needed to pay for treatment that could significantly reduce his chances of a relapse.

“At the moment there is a 50% chance that his cancer might come back, but the vaccine should increase his chances of surviving,” said Rocco’s mother, Nevena Belodovska.

Neuroblastoma currently affects approximately 100 children a year in the UK, and according to charity Solving Kids’ Cancer, half of all neuroblastoma cases are classified as ‘high-risk’, where the cancer has spread by the time it is diagnosed,and immediate treatment is required. Rocco was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in February, and started to receive chemotherapy immediately after the diagnoses.

“Children often have to go through more than a year of aggressive treatments, one after another – it’s relentless,” said Rocco’s aunt, Chloe Troiano. “It’s devastating for the family and it’s also very frustrating to know that there is a better treatment out there but you have to fundraise to get that treatment.

“There should be more help – the government should recognise that there is a treatment out there, that’s proven succesful at stopping relapses among kids who have gone through so much to get rid of the cancer the first time.”

“They started (the treatment) straight away after Rocco was diagnosed. Every ten days he had surgery, and he had a high dose of chemotherapy, eight rounds of it, which is quite intense,” said Belodovska. “Then he had radiotherapy, and now he is on the immunotherapy stage, which is the last of the stages.”

The toddler is currently receiving his final rounds of immunotherapy which will end in May. Each round requires 10 days spent is hospital every time. In contrast, children receive the bivalent vaccine treatment for two years, and then return for boosters over the next three years.

The first £50,000 we raised came pretty fast, just from Facebook posts, friends and family,” says Trioano. “Since then, it’s been more of an uphill struggle but I’m sure that with the new year we will get some new ideas.”

The family has teamed up with the Bradley Lowery Foundation to organise several charity events and raffles that so far have raised more than £146,000 for Rocco.

For more information and details of how to donate, visit

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rebecca-wardle6

https://www.facebook.com/roccosfight1

https://twitter.com/FightRoccos?t=lHwFtHG4SknvqPq2y5NC9w&s=09