Home / Health / Toddler's US vaccine trial offers hope for rare cancer
Toddler's US vaccine trial offers hope for rare cancer
31 Oct
Summary
- Toddler Teddy Sloman to undergo experimental cancer vaccine trial in New York.
- Family raised £250,000 for the life-saving treatment not available in the UK.
- Scans show no active disease, giving the family a glimmer of hope.
A three-year-old boy named Teddy Sloman, battling a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, has been offered a significant glimmer of hope. Teddy is set to travel to New York for an experimental vaccine trial, a treatment option no longer available in the UK. His parents, after a challenging year since his diagnosis in July 2025, have raised £250,000 to fund this critical treatment.
Recent scans have revealed no active disease in Teddy, a development his mother described as 'Christmas came early.' This news allows the family to focus on the upcoming trip to the US, which they hope will be the final stage of his treatment and an end to their ordeal. The family's journey has involved extensive hospital stays and specialist treatments across the UK.
Teddy's neuroblastoma diagnosis followed months of concerning symptoms initially dismissed as common childhood ailments. The aggressive nature of his cancer meant a large tumor filled his abdomen, impacting his organs. Despite the immense challenges, including Teddy needing to relearn basic functions like walking and eating, the family's determination has led them to pursue this groundbreaking trial.
Friends rallied to support the family, launching a fundraising campaign that quickly surpassed the initial £250,000 target, with the total aim now £350,000 to cover ongoing costs. Teddy's story highlights the disparities in access to critical cancer treatments and the extraordinary efforts families undertake for their children's survival. The family hopes Teddy's experience will prompt greater focus and funding for childhood cancers.
