Ipswich man hoping to continue drag racing despite cancer

Jack Gooding, from Ipswich, has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in his life, and is undergoing chemotherapy again as part of his treatment/ 

He was first diagnosed when he was just five, and underwent two years of treatment before being given the all clear.

Now, at the age of 24, he has been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumour, a rare form of cancer.

It is believed Jack is one of 112 people in the world to be diagnosed with the cancer. 

He was feeling pains in his shoulder in 2022, and after a while, he went to get it checked out, and was told there was a rare cancer on his liver, which was causing the pains.

Jack Gooding (Image: Tom Cann)

Jack said: "It's physically and mentally hard to keep going through it.

"The chemotherapy takes a lot out of you, your body completely shuts down.

"From the treatment I have had throughout my life, there has been a lot of side effects, I can't eat or drink properly.

"When I was five, I didn't really get what was going on. I knew I was in hospital a lot and there was something wrong, but I didn't understand the seriousness.

"Now, I understand everything."

Jack, who lives at home in Ipswich with his parents, his two younger brothers and the family dog, hasn't been able to work in a year.

Jack's dad Gary, said: "It's difficult to put into words everything that has happened.

"You have no choice.

Jack and his family, dad Gary and mum Rebecca (Image: Tom Cann)

"We have to get on with things and do what we need to but it has been really difficult.

"To stay strong all the time, it takes its toll on me and on us as a family."

Due to the rarity of Jack's cancer, there is no chemotherapy plan for it, meaning Jack is regularly having to go in and have treatment to see what works and what does not. 

Jack's mum, Rebecca, added: "The chemotherapy he first had for this type of cancer controlled it, kept it stable, but it affected his heart because of the treatment he had when he was younger.

"So they have had to try a different one which doesn't affect the heart, but doesn't keep the cancer stable.

"It's a real balancing act between having enough of the treatment to work effectively on the cancer, but also keeps him healthy."

Jack also has scoliosis, and was to receive work on his jaw which would allow him to eat and drink food.

Due to the cancer, this treatment has been put on hold.

A fundraiser has been started by a family member of Jack's to help him continue doing what he loves, drag racing.

It is a hobby he and his father share and the 24-year-old is the owner of a Volkswagen Scirocco which he races at Santa Pod Raceway, in Wellingborough, regularly.

Jack said: "It's a second home to me.

"I am completely relaxed, I have a lot of friends there and they look after me well there."

Gary added: "It's like everything in the world is forgotten, it's an amazing place."

The fundraiser is currently almost at £3,000 which helps him to continue to take part in races and enjoy the day.

"We are overwhelmed by the response," Gary continued.

"He deserves the world, the strength he shows is incredible."

Rebecca added: "He is so kind.

"We want to thank everyone who has donated so far, we are so grateful."

To donate to the fundraiser, click here.