Boy dying of cancer told mum: 'I don't want to be forgotten'
This article recounts the tragic death of 13-year-old Jake Swinscoe from an aggressive soft tissue cancer. His mother is speaking out to ensure his memory lives on and to educate others on the warning signs of the disease.
Why it matters
Publicizing personal stories of rare diseases helps increase community vigilance and support for affected families.
Image source, Lynsey Swinscoe Image caption, Jake Swinscoe died just two weeks before his 14th birthday after being diagnosed with cancer
A mother whose teenage son died from a rare form of cancer has been sharing his story to raise awareness of the symptoms and keep his memory alive.
Jake Swinscoe, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, died just two weeks before his 14th birthday in April 2024, 10 months after being diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive soft tissue cancer.
His mother Lynsey said before his diagnosis she thought Jake was suffering from hay fever and had no idea a runny nose and watery eyes "could be potential symptoms of cancer".
She said the thing Jake was scared about "wasn't dying" but not being remembered, telling his mum: "I want to be well-known and not forgotten".
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