Jake loses fight for life

Last updated 12:18, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy who battled cancer twice has lost his brave fight against the disease.

COURAGE: Jake Ellis, five, who battled cancer twice REF: 0447838

Jake Ellis was first diagnosed with a rare form of bladder cancer just days before his first birthday, and managed to fight the disease for a second time when a tumour developed in his lung.

But Jake sadly lost his battle. He died in the early hours of Monday morning at Furness General Hospital’s children’s ward.

Jake’s family said this morning: “He was a very brave little boy, and he was an inspiration to many people.

“He made us very proud and we loved him very much.”

After Jake went into remission the first time, his mother, Jo-ann Ellis, spoke of her fears the cancer would return, saying: “It’s always in the back of your mind and you hope and pray.”

Mrs Ellis, of Pembroke Close, Roose, added: “Sometimes I want to go and cry but you can’t, you still have to enjoy your little boy.”

Jake was voted Barrow’s “local hero” in a competition backed by the Evening Mail and Abbey FM and was given the honour of switching on the town’s Christmas lights in November 2006.

Friends, family and volunteers have raised thousands of pounds in his name, with fund-raising events including a walk along Hadrian’s Wall.

In September, Mrs Ellis spoke of her pride as Jake attended his first day of class at Newbarns Primary School, a day his family thought they would never see.

Speaking at the time, Mrs Ellis said of Jake and his younger brother Luke: “They’re very good buddies, they don’t go anywhere without each other.”

Described as a loving brother to Luke, Jake’s family said he would be sadly missed by grandparents June and Barry and Caroline and Matt.

Jake was the nephew of Sam and Jack, Sheryl and Scott, Nicola and Joas and a loving cousin to Frankie and Dylan. Jake’s funeral will take place at St Mary’s Church, Dalton, on Friday, and mourners are asked to wear ‘the colours of Liverpool’, to mark the five-year-old’s favourite football team.

The family has requested family flowers only, donations in lieu may be made to the Rhabdomysarcoma Research Fund. Donations can be left in church or sent c/o Little & Caine, 10 Dalkeith Street, Barrow.