Teenager loses brave fight against cancer (From Oxford Mail)

Teenager loses brave fight against cancer

7:10pm Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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AN OXFORD teenager described as “the pride of Blackbird Leys” has died after a five-and-a-half year battle with cancer.

Jake Spicer, from Shepherd’s Hill, died aged 15 surrounded by close family at Helen House, East Oxford, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

He had a rare form of bone cancer known as Ewing’s Sarcoma and had been in the hospice for two weeks.

But since the pupil at St Gregory the Great School, in East Oxford, was diagnosed with the condition, he raised thousands of pounds for charities including Clic Sargent, Cancer Research UK, the Thomas Ball Cancer Care Fund and SeeSaw.

Last night, tributes flooded in to the popular teenager, who was named a Cancer Research UK Little Star in 2007, and last week was presented with a special recognition prize as part of the Oxfordshire Youth Awards.

Parents Lesley and Michael said: “He was our life, our love and an inspiration to all that knew him.

“Jake’s life was not selfish, but was about putting everyone first before himself. Jake touched everyone’s heart and everything about him was pure love.

“We miss him dearly.”

St Gregory headteacher John Hussey said: “Jake was a very brave young man who became a real inspiration to many of us in our school and the wider community.

“He touched the hearts of so many in the way he dealt with his illness and yet displayed an indomitable spirit.

“He will be sadly missed. All of our thoughts and prayers are with his family, Lesley, Michael, Aaron, Ryan and Maddison.”

Fellow pupils, who wrote a song about Jake called OX4 Soldier, were told he had died on Wednesday and masses, prayers and services have been arranged at the Roman Catholic school.

Andrew Smith, Oxford East MP, said: “He was a wonderfully brave lad who was the pride of Blackbird Leys.

“It’s so sad he has lost his own battle with cancer, having done so much to raise money and awareness to help other sufferers.”

Clare Edwards, Helen & Douglas House director of clinical services, said: “Jake was inspirational. We were privileged to be able to care for him.”

A motorcycle fanatic, Jake was made an honorary member of the Oxford chapter of the Harley Davidson bikers group in 2007, and rode pillion with them when they visited Oxford Children’s Hospital each year to distribute toys and gifts to sick children.

They also set up a website encouraging people to use the power of positive thinking to help the teenager.

Spokesman Russell Owen said: “Jake was phenomenal. He never, ever, let cancer get him down, he battled through and he showed such courage.

“He totally adored bikes and we were proud to have him ride on the back of our bikes.”

Last night, more than 370 people had joined a Facebook group in memory of Jake, called Jake Spicer — OX4 Soldier — RIP xXx, leaving messages of sympathy and support.

Tributes have also been left on the Harley Davidson chapter’s website, on Jake’s Bebo page and on the positive thinking website.

His funeral will be held next Thursday, at 11.15 am, at the Church of the Holy Family, in Blackbird Leys. All are welcome.