Jay Demetriou

   I posted earlier about my choice to donate my daughters cord blood. I explained that I had my personal reasons that my nan and aunt Marj had cancer. There are other reasons. A boy who lived (I say lived he still does live there because his memory lives there with his family) In Rubery, Birmingham. Is another inspiration to why I want to donate my daughters cord blood. I've followed his story and seen the updates that have been posted by his parents. I've read their heart-breaking words as their son is no longer with them in body. He is only with them in love and spirit. I have permission by Jays Mum Mandi to post this post about Jay.

This is Jay's Story.

My name is Jay Demetriou, I am 12 years old. In December I was diagnosed with Burkitts non hodgkins lymphoma. I have to undergo intense chemotherapy for 6 months followed by more chemotherapy as an outpatient.

I was a year 8 student who enjoyed skateboarding, riding my scooter and playing my playstation.

At the end of November I started to feel unwell and was taken to my Doctors. I was given Laxatives. 10 days later I was still not well and I returned to my Doctor. I was given stronger Laxatives and was told they need time to get into my system. Not happy with that my family took me to the Hospital, The Doctor felt my tummy and I was given an enema and told to drink plenty of water. My mother asked the doctor if I was ok to go on holiday and we were told YES.....

We traveled to Orlando on 13th December for our Disney Christmas Holiday. We drove straight to Disney Vero Beach for a few days before we returned to Orland, We never got there.....

I was taken poorly on the 16th and was taken to the hospital, a CT scan showed a large mass in my abdomen and I was transferred to West Palm Beach Children's Hospital. There I was admitted and further CT scans were carried out and a MRI scan. This showed a 9.8 x 8 cm Tumour.

Surgery was planned and my life changed for ever..... I had a colostomy fitted and a biopsy was taken. Christmas was then spent not at Disney but at the hospital, On the 27th I was given the results of my biopsy I had CANCER.

30th December was time to leave Florida and return home, I was not able to fly back on the commercial flight with my Father and Sister. My mother and I had to fly on a medical flight with a doctor and Nurse. It was a 18 hour flight Back to the UK flying from West Palm via Toronto, Hudson's Bay, Iceland and into Birmingham where a Ambulance was waiting on the runway and I was taken off the plane straight to Birmingham Children's Hospital. This is where I have been since the 31st of December undergoing intense Chemotherapy..


Jay unfortunately lost his battle on October 8th 2013, after 10 months of fighting.

Team Jay Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Jay/444026625669807