A little boy with incurable cancer is having the adventure-of-a-lifetime – driving in a supercar, flying a helicopter and meeting comedian and children’s author David Walliams – due to an incredible bucket list.
Toby Davis, eight, from Byfleet, Surrey, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer of the soft tissue cells, in October 2016 and his parents, Andrew and Michelle Davis were told it was incurable.
In addition to Walliams, the youngster has also rubbed shoulders with Russel Howard, fellow animal lover Steve Backshall and has even received a note and Harry Potter wand from JK Rowling.
The cast of the Netflix show The Defenders also recorded three video messages for him.
Mr Davis, who works in recruitment, said: ‘Finding out Toby had cancer was devastating.
‘When they told us he didn’t have long left, we just wanted to make that time special, but we never imagined we would be able to do the sort of things he has.
‘There have been so many adventures and we have so many more to come. It’s making it special for Toby and for Scott, who has been a great big brother throughout, and it helps to distract us from the day to day things that are part of having cancer.’
Toby, whose family have planned his funeral, recently had an operation to extend his life, however, it is unclear how much longer he will survive. His family are fundraising to help fill the youngster’s life with as much adventure as possible in the short time he could have left.
Toby Davis is ticking off his bucket list, including meeting comedian David Walliams (pictured), after his devastated parents were told he has incurable cancer and not much time left to live
His love of animals prompted a home visit from TV wildlife expert Steve Backshall (pictured)
The youngster has even received a note and wand from Harry Potter author JK Rowling
Other adventures include flying upfront of a helicopter and driving supercars
The family are fundraising to allow the remaining of Toby’s life to be filled with adventure and memories they can cherish (pictured before the diagnosis with his mother Michelle, 48)
‘It helps to distract us from the day to day things that are part of having cancer’
Mr Davis said: ‘When they told us he didn’t have long left, we just wanted to make that time special, but we never imagined we would be able to do the sort of things he has.
‘He’s met stars and done so many things in the last few weeks that most adults never get to experience.’
With the help of loved ones and the charity Taylor-Made Dreams, the family have experienced a helicopter ride, with Toby in the front seat, driven supercars, been to Legoland and even had a behind the scenes tour of Pinewood film studios and the London Aquarium.
They have also had support from celebrities across the world, including JK Rowling, who sent a note and a Harry Potter wand, the team behind the Star Wars films, who sent a poster signed by the director, and the cast of the Netflix show The Defenders, who recorded three video messages.
Andrew said: ‘It’s just been incredible. We had a meeting with David Walliams and both boys were completely in awe of him.
‘Toby is a massive fan of animals and it was amazing when wildlife presenter Steve Backshall turned up on our doorstep for a cup of tea. He went and sat with Toby in his bedroom. We couldn’t believe it.
‘There’ve been so many adventures and we have so many more to come. It’s making it special for Toby and for Scott, who has been a great big brother throughout and it helps to distract us from the day to day things that are part of having cancer.
‘I normally hate social media, but this has shown me how powerful it can be. We’ve had donations from complete strangers, who have just heard our story and wanted to help. It’s amazing what people can do when they come together.’
Toby was diagnosed with a rare cancer in October 2016 (pictured with his brother Scott)
The family credit social media for strangers’ donations (pictured with Russell Howard)
Toby’s artwork has been displayed at the Royal College of Art (pictured)
He also went on a private behind-the-scenes tour of London Aquarium (pictured)
His family say organising these special occasions distract them from his cancer battle
Toby complained of not being able to urinate last year and was thought to have an infection
When we did not go to the toilet all day, his mother took him to hospital for scans
Results revealed he had cancer of the bladder that had spread to his chest and hips
‘We had to start planning his funeral’
Toby’s parents first noticed he was unwell last year when he said he was struggling to go to the toilet. Thinking he had a urine infection, they took him to the GP, who prescribed antibiotics.
Yet, on October 11, Toby came home from school saying he had not been to the toilet all day, prompting Mrs Davis, 48, to take him to St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey, where scans revealed a tumour on his bladder, with further tests showing the cancer had spread to his hips and chest.
Mr Davis said: ‘Finding out Toby had cancer was devastating. He’d never been treated for anything other than cuts and grazes and coughs and colds before.
‘I really had no experience of cancer before this and we just didn’t know how to react. It didn’t feel real.
‘I think it was only when we were admitted to hospital and I met another dad, who told me that his daughter was just there to be kept comfortable, that it suddenly became very real.’
Toby was admitted for chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy and spent around five months in hospital. Once the radiotherapy ended in May 2017, the family were told the tumours had shrunk and there was just a very small lesion left on his chest.
Yet, a check-up scan in July showed an aggressive tumour in his right lung had begun to grow again, eventually reaching 7cm in October.
Later that month, Toby began chemotherapy again, but sadly it did not work.
Mr Davis said: ‘At that stage, we were told by the consultant there wasn’t much more they could do. We knew that he didn’t have long left.
‘We had to start planning his funeral. Choosing music for your eight-year-old’s funeral isn’t something you think you will do.
‘We have chosen a beautiful natural burial site in a nature reserve and they just place a little plaque on a tree. We picked that because Toby has always loved animals.’
This week, Toby had an operation to remove his right lung.
Andrew said: ‘Initially, they weren’t sure if they would be able to do it, but the team said they would try. Amazingly, they’ve been able to remove his lung and the remaining tumour, so he is cancer free for the first time.
‘We have been told it isn’t curative, but it will, hopefully, give us some more time together and we will fill that time with as many adventures as possible.’
Donate towards Toby’s fundraising here.
Toby had chemotherapy, followed by radiotherapy and spent around five months in hospital
His family were told the tumours had shrunk and there was just a small lesion left on his chest
Yet, a check-up scan in July showed a tumour in his lung (pictured with his brother)
Toby began chemotherapy again, but sadly it did not work (pictured before the diagnosis)
His parents have been told by doctor there is nothing left to try (pictured before the diagnosis)
Toby successfully had his right lung removed to buy him more time, but it is not a cure