4 year old boy needs £339,000 in less than two weeks for lifesaving cancer treatment

The Azaylia Foundation is joining forces for the first time with Joseph's Smile to support Solving Kids' Cancer UK's urgent appeal. Together they are calling on the public to help raise £339,000 in less than two weeks to send four-year-old Zach from Hackney to Rome for life-saving cross-border cancer treatment.

The Azaylia Foundation has committed a £10,000 donation towards Zachâ's treatment through its treatment fund and is working closely alongside Zachâ's family, Solving Kids' Cancer UK and Joseph's Smile to amplify the campaign before time runs out.

Zachâ's journey began in October 2024, when he was just two years and eight months old. He was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer.

Now, at just four years old, Zach has already faced more than any child ever should. He is currently fighting his second battle against high-risk neuroblastoma, due to a devastating recent relapse. Zach's best chance for survival is accessing specialised CAR T-cell therapy in Rome at the start of November, a treatment that is not currently available to Zach through the NHS. With the deadline fast approaching, his family needs to secure the £339,000 required to fund the treatment.

Staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) know four-year-old Zach best as the 'Red Power Ranger.' Despite undergoing gruelling treatments, the devoted Arsenal fan spends his time on the ward enlisting nurses into his imaginary battles. But while he dreams of growing up to be a superhero, Zach is currently facing his second real-life fight against cancer. This September, he was supposed to put on his school uniform and join his older brother in Reception. Instead, he remains in hospital, where his family and medical team say his daily resilience already makes him a hero

Solving Kids' Cancer UK has been supporting Zachâ's family for over a year and has worked closely withZachâ's clinical team at GOSH. Joseph's Smile has also been working closely with Zach's family, offering financial support and sharing expertise to help strengthen their campaign, ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. With the three cancer charities coming together to support Zach, it gives his family the best chance of hitting the fundraising target.

To support the urgent campaign, Zach’s beloved Arsenal FC has also stepped in to help. The club has generously donated a men's first-team shirt, signed by the majority of the first-team players. The exclusive item comes presented in a premium gift box with an Arsenal gift bag and includes a certificate of authenticity. Fans and supporters are encouraged to bid on the shirt today, with all proceeds going directly toward Zach’s treatment in Rome.

Dominik Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of The Azaylia Foundation, said: "Zach’s bravery is nothing short of heroic, but he cannot fight this battle alone. The Azaylia Foundation, Solving Kids' Cancer UK and Joseph's Smile have come together because this is an absolute emergency. We have less than two weeks to get Zach to Rome. Every donation, every share, and every bid on the Arsenal shirt brings us one step closer to giving this little boy another chance at life.”

Gail Jackson, CEO of Solving Kids' Cancer, said: “The response to Zach’s campaign so far has been truly incredible, with more than £120,000 already raised. We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has donated and shared his story, and hope this generosity continues so that Zach can access the treatment he urgently needs as soon as possible.”

Emma Rees, CEO of Joseph’s Smile, said: "It has been incredible to see so many people rally behind Zach and his family, raising more than £120,000 in such a short space of time. The support shown by the public has been nothing short of remarkable, but the reality is that the urgency remains, with a further £200,000 still needed to give Zach the chance to access this potentially life-saving treatment. At Joseph’s Smile, we know first-hand the fear, pressure and uncertainty that comes with running an urgent fundraising campaign for your child. Together with our colleagues at Solving Kids' Cancer and The Azaylia Foundation, we stand alongside Zach's family, offering support, guidance and encouragement as they fight to give their little boy every possible chance."

Time is of the essence. The public is urged to donate, share Zach’s story, or bid on the signed Arsenal shirt to help hit the £339,000 target by early November.

Neuroblastoma affects around 100 children in the UK each year. For children diagnosed with high-risk disease, treatment is long and intensive, often involving several different therapies and procedures. Even after completing frontline treatment, there remains a significant risk of the cancer returning. For children whose cancer comes back, like Zach, the survival rate is much lower than for other childhood cancers.

To read more about Zach’s story, make a vital donation, or find details on the Arsenal shirt auction, please visit: https://www.solvingkidscancer.org.uk/children/Zach/