A baby boy from Scotland has passed away after a courageous fight with a rare form of cancer. Jura Kerr-Lidell was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of soft tissue tumour, when he was just four months old. His parents, Nicole and Struan, had to endure the agony of watching their son undergo gruelling chemotherapy and surgery, only to lose him on January 6, 2024.
A lump in his nappy
The nightmare began when Nicole noticed a lump in Jura’s nappy while changing him. She took him to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, where doctors initially thought it was a benign polyp and removed it. However, three weeks later, they received a devastating phone call from the hospital, telling them that the lump was actually a malignant tumour.
Nicole, 31, said: “It was unreal how devastated we were. I don’t think words can describe how horrible it was. Your mind can kind of expect something wasn’t quite right but to actually be told the worst case scenario was beyond devastating.”
A rare and aggressive cancer
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a very rare type of cancer that affects the muscles, tendons, and connective tissues. It is most common in children and teenagers, but can occur at any age. It is often aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, and lymph nodes.
Jura had a type of rhabdomyosarcoma called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which is even rarer and more aggressive than the other types. He had to start chemotherapy a few days after his diagnosis in mid-October 2023. He also had surgery to remove the tumour and some of his bladder, as well as radiotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.
A brave and beautiful boy
Despite the harsh treatments, Jura remained a brave and beautiful boy, who brought joy to his parents and his older sister, Isla. He loved music, animals, and cuddles, and had a smile that could light up a room. His parents said he was their “little warrior” and their “ray of sunshine”.
They also praised the staff at the hospital for their care and compassion, and the support they received from their family, friends, and the local community. They said: “We are so grateful for everything that everyone has done for us. We couldn’t have got through this without them. They have been amazing.”
A tragic loss
Sadly, Jura’s cancer proved to be too aggressive and resistant to the treatments. He passed away peacefully in his parents’ arms, surrounded by his loved ones. He was only nine months old.
His parents said: “He fought so hard and we are so proud of him. He was the most amazing boy and we will miss him so much. He will always be in our hearts and we will never forget him.”
They also urged other parents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma, and to seek medical attention if they notice anything unusual in their children. They said: “We don’t want anyone else to go through what we have. Please, if you see anything that doesn’t look right, get it checked out. It could save your child’s life.”
