Toddler Heads to US for Cancer Treatment Trial After Fundraising Success

A three-year-old boy diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma is set to travel to the United States for a vaccine trial, offering his family a renewed sense of hope.

Teddy Sloman's parents were warned last year that he might not survive life-saving surgery after his diagnosis with the rare and aggressive childhood cancer. However, recent scans revealed no active disease, and the family is preparing to fly to New York next month. His mother, Sarah, described the upcoming trial as potentially "the final chapter" of his treatment.

"We've now given him the absolute best chance that we could possibly have in the world of medical science," she stated. Sarah, a pediatric nurse herself, found the journey since Teddy's diagnosis "incredibly difficult," often facing unforeseen challenges.

An experimental treatment aimed at preventing the recurrence of Teddy's specific type of cancer is no longer available in the UK. Consequently, his family launched a fundraising campaign, successfully raising £250,000 to access the vaccine trial in New York. The positive scan results felt like a significant relief after months of fearing a relapse, marking a step forward in their journey.

Teddy was diagnosed in July 2025, following months of symptoms initially attributed to teething, illness, and constipation. He lost his appetite, experienced excessive sleepiness, and began vomiting. Sarah Sloman felt a mass in his abdomen and was initially told it was faeces. A subsequent visit to The Grange Hospital in Cwmbran led to a scan that revealed a significant tumor.

Teddy's tumor was large enough to fill his abdomen, pressing on his organs and affecting his breathing. The cancer had also spread to his bone marrow. Aneurin Bevan health board acknowledged the distress of parents dealing with seriously unwell children and complex diagnoses, inviting the family to discuss their concerns.

The family spent 10 months at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, with additional treatment in Birmingham and London. These prolonged hospital stays have led to Teddy needing to receive all his nutrition through a feeding tube and relearning basic functions like eating and drinking, having already had to regain mobility multiple times.

Sarah spoke of "mum guilt" as her younger son, Joey, spent significant time with relatives while Teddy was hospitalized. The family made the difficult decision to leave Joey in the UK during their first trip to New York due to a measles outbreak there. Teddy and Joey have since been able to spend time together at home.

In June, the family learned that difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a drug that could prevent Teddy's relapse, had been withdrawn from the NHS by its US-based owner following a clinical trial. While existing patients could continue treatment for two years, it was unavailable to new patients.

To qualify for the clinical vaccine trial in New York, Teddy's family submitted urine and bone marrow samples and had his scans confirm "no active disease." Sarah described receiving these results as "Christmas came early."

Teddy has been accepted into the vaccine trial, with his initial appointment scheduled for November. The family noted that survival rates drop significantly if the cancer relapses, making the trial a crucial option. Friends initiated a campaign to raise the £250,000 target, which was met in 12 weeks. The fundraising goal has since been increased to £350,000 for ongoing costs, with over £300,000 raised to date.

Sarah described Teddy as a cheerful and resilient child who has remained positive. She highlighted the stark contrast between typical childhood activities and Teddy's medical experiences. She advocated for increased focus, support, and research for childhood cancers, noting that funding for pediatric cancers is often less than for adult cancers.

A Welsh government spokesperson stated that improving cancer care is a priority, with a 10-year strategy focused on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. They added that Health and Care Research Wales supports early-stage clinical trials for children and young people through a partnership with Cancer Research UK.