A COUPLE who waited six years to become parents are facing a terrifying ordeal as their only child battles a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Three-year-old Drew Barker-Wright has been given a very slim chance of survival after being diagnosed with a Rhabdoid Tumour.

His father John Wright, who works in Dorstone and mother Mel Barker- Wright, had been trying for a baby for six years before giving up and getting a pet dog instead.

But, when they least expected it, Mel became pregnant and Drew was born. The family say that, after having an MMR vaccine, Drew starting walking around with his head to one side and lost his appetite.

His mother became increasingly concerned despite doctors saying there wasn’t a problem when the symptoms persisted “He was up most of the night and she knew something wasn’t right,” said family friend Nicola Willis.

“Out of desperation Mel took her son to Hereford County Hospital and pleaded for help.”

After being given a scan, doctors noticed a mass in Drew’s skull and he was taken by ambulance to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

He was diagnosed with aggressive rhabdoid tumour last month before doctors found it had spread to his lungs and bones.

Drew is set to receive six to nine months of chemotherapy on the tumour to hopefully reduce its size before it can be removed.

“He is an old fashioned boy with lovely manners who enjoyed going to ballet and was getting ready for preschool,” added Nicola.

“He is enjoying all the visits from his grandparents but is very tired from the treatment.

“He is so young that his parents can’t explain the problem but they are very proud with how he is dealing with it.”

Alternative treatments are also being considered which includes the possibility of flying Drew and his family to America for proton treatment. Family friends and the local community in Talgarth, where the family live, have already raised £12,000.

Nicola added: “If this round of chemotherapy doesn’t work then they will have to use some more aggressive and life threatening treatment.

“One of the possibilities is that Drew might have to go to America where they have proton treatment which doesn’t affect the other organs.

“As the cancer is unusual most of the research and the specialists are also based in America.”

To help the family, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/HELPDREW