Cancer therapy boy gets all-clear

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A Leicestershire boy who went to the US for pioneering therapy has been given the all-clear by doctors.

Five-year-old Alex Barnes, from Fleckney, travelled to Florida in October last year for surgery and proton therapy on a brain tumour.

The treatment, which is not available on the NHS, was in part paid for by donations from well wishers.

His mother, Roz, said after months of fundraising and treatment this was the news they had been waiting for.

Alex was offered a more standard treatment in the UK but this carried a greater risk of brain damage.

Emotional support

The proton therapy used a targeted beam of energy to kill only dangerous cells but a course of treatment costs about Â£40,000.

Now, after new scans were analysed by doctors in the US, he has now been told all trace of the cancer has gone.

Mrs Barnes said: "Our family have been jubilant and celebrating and I think Alex himself has realised he doesn't have to go to hospital anymore and he is really amazed and happy about it all - although he is still not happy he has to go to school!"

She added: "I am just so grateful to everyone, so grateful for all the prayers and the financial support that everyone gave us - but also the emotional support we got."

Alex Barnes travelled to Florida for proton therapy