DILTON Marsh toddler Alexander Vinson is continuing to remain strong in his fight against a rare brain tumour, after travelling to America for life-saving treatment, according to his mum.

With support from charity Kids ‘n’ Cancer and the Wiltshire Times, the family have raised nearly £150,000 for proton beam therapy after Alexander’s application was rejected by the NHS.

The two-year-old travelled to the ProCure Proton Beam Therapy Centre in Oklahoma last month with parents Raluca and Philip.

Speaking from America, Mrs Vinson, 35, said: “It still feels unreal.

“It’s been a pretty busy week with a lot to take in such as time adjustments, culture and food but the most important thing is that we’re here where we can give Alexander the best chance.

“Since the first day when we travelled for 15 hours, Alexander has been amazingly good which made the experience enjoyable for us too – considering that I’m afraid of flying – and especially that this sad journey started on the plane as we were waiting to take off to Romania in July, so I was apprehensive about that too.

“But it went well, we arrived safely and we were taken straight to our hotel by a ProCure representative.

“Last Wednesday he had his first visit to ProCure, where we met the staff and also had a meeting with Dr Andrew Chang, who will treat Alexander.

“ProCure had Father Christmas on site who gave Alexander and all the other children treated there presents and personalised stockings, so it was a good day and Alexander felt happy and relaxed with everyone.

“Thursday he had the scan to prepare for the proton treatment and we also met the doctors at the children’s hospital where Alexander will have two sets of chemotherapy during our time here.

“Friday was the first day of chemotherapy.

"We were a bit worried how he would react to it, but Alexander bravely took it in and we can just hope that he will continue to be strong and be able to continue his

journey to being happy,

playful, cheeky and full of energy.”

Alexander could spend up to three months in America to have treatment on an Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT) and has already had two eight-hour operations to have 80 per cent of the tumour removed.

A total of £2,000 still needs to be raised to reach the £150,000, plus any additional money should Alexander become unexpectedly ill.

Mrs Vinson added: “We would like to thank Mike Hyman from Kids ‘n’ Cancer for accompanying us on this journey, he wanted to be with us for the start so we don’t have to worry about anything but Alexander.

“To David from the hotel who welcomed us and continuously makes us feel welcome and looked after.

“To ProCure who have taken us under their wings and who will give Alexander the best chance and to the children’s hospital who will be looking after Alexander during his chemotherapy treatments.

“And last but not least, thank you to everyone from all over the country and the rest of the world who helped us to make all this happen.”

To make a donation, visit https://www.justgiving.com/actionforalexander or send cheques to Kids ‘n’ Cancer at Bridge Business Centre, Beresford Way, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 9FG.

Cheques should include a note on the back stating it is for the ‘Alexander Appeal’.