Sunderland Family in Desperate Race to Secure Life-Saving Treatment for 15-Year-Old with Rare Heart Cancer
A family from Silksworth, Sunderland, has launched an urgent appeal for support as they fight to secure medical treatment for their 15-year-old son, who has been diagnosed with an exceptionally rare and aggressive form of vascular cancer.
Jude Hazard’s ordeal began in April during a family holiday, when he started suffering from unexplained shortness of breath. Following a series of medical assessments and visits to the A&E department at Sunderland Royal Hospital, clinicians identified a concerning 8cm tumour in the left atrium of his heart.
Jude was rushed to Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for emergency surgery. Reflecting on the harrowing experience, his father, Daniel, described the five-hour operation as a period of absolute trauma for the family. In a terrifying turn of events, Jude went into cardiac arrest while on the operating table.
"He flatlined for two minutes, but they were able to bring him back, and thankfully he suffered no side effects of that," Daniel recalled. "I remember he squeezed my finger and signalled to ask me what time the football was on—it was a World Cup semi-final that day."
While the immediate surgery was successful, the family was later delivered the crushing news that the mass was a rare, incurable cancer. Medical professionals noted that this particular condition typically affects only about 35 people per 100 million, and almost exclusively in adults, making Jude’s diagnosis a profound medical anomaly. Given the high toxicity and low success rates of conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the family is now looking abroad to find viable, life-extending alternatives.
The search for specialist care has led the family to explore options in the United States, and more recently, in Japan. However, the costs associated with international treatment are astronomical.
The community has rallied behind the family, with a GoFundMe campaign already raising over £72,000 to cover medical bills, travel, and accommodation. Additionally, Jude’s cousin, Shaun Ward, is undertaking a grueling Three Peaks Challenge on September 5, aiming to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon within 24 hours to boost the fundraising efforts.
"We feel like we have to look everywhere and do everything that we can to find treatment for Jude," Daniel added. "It has been a whirlwind… it is just impossible, but we will keep fighting for a 15-year-old with a rare heart cancer."
For those wishing to support the Hazard family during this unimaginable time, donations can be made via the main GoFundMe page or through the Three Peaks Challenge page.
