Jared Made Dreams
On 3rd June 2019, our lives changed forever. I had taken my four-year-old son Jared to Pembury Hospital a few days earlier with severe stomach pains. Doctors were unsure what was wrong and sent him for a scan. Soon after, I was told they had found a 9cm mass between Jared’s kidney and bladder. I phoned my husband Andy, and he came straight to the hospital with our ten-year-old daughter, Sasha.
We were in complete shock when we were told Jared would be transferred to St George’s for a biopsy and then to the Royal Marsden to begin treatment for what they believed was cancer. Within a week, Jared was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, and started chemotherapy immediately.
After nine rounds of chemotherapy, a six-hour surgery, 30 sessions of proton beam therapy in Manchester, and three months of maintenance chemotherapy, Jared was finally clear of cancer in June 2020. He had endured so much in that year—starting school, countless hospital stays, and the challenges of Covid—yet he showed incredible bravery throughout.
We were ready to begin rebuilding some sense of normal life when, just three months later, the cancer returned. Chemotherapy had to start again.
On 23rd October 2021, Jared lost his battle with cancer. He was just seven years old.
Six weeks before Jared passed away, we were introduced to Taylor Made Dreams. Suzi visited our home and spoke to Jared about the special things he wanted to do. He asked for a policeman, a police dog, and a police horse to visit. His favourite book was Mr Stink, and we planned a celebration called “Smith Festival,” with music, food, ninja guests, and new party outfits for Jared and Sasha.
Sadly, Jared became too poorly for the party or the police visit to happen. However, we were incredibly fortunate to receive a visit from David Walliams at our home. He brought cupcakes, signed books, and, most importantly, a beautiful picture of Jared as the superhero Thor, organised by Taylor Made Dreams.
That same evening after David visit, Jared passed away at home, with Andy, Sasha, and I holding him tightly.
In the weeks that followed, Suzi and Taylor Made Dreams held us up through unbearable grief. They helped organise Jared’s celebration of life and arranged for Kent Police to escort his funeral procession. As a mum who had walked this path herself, Suzi’s support meant more than words can express—and five years later, she remains a source of strength.
Sasha became part of the first sibling support group, an invaluable service that helped her process her grief and connect with others who understood. She is now a young ambassador for the charity, and we are incredibly proud of her.
Each year around Jared’s birthday, our family and his friends raise money in his memory. From an 8km moonlit walk to bonkers bingo nights and individual challenges, we have raised £18,000. The love and support shown in his name has been overwhelming.
Taylor Made Dreams has supported us from the moment we met them. We will be forever grateful and hope to continue raising funds and awareness so other families can receive the same care, compassion, and precious memories that meant so much to us.
