Hope for seriously-ill Alex - and maybe a TV and book deal too?

The family of sick nine-year-old Alex Goodwin are considering TV and book deals to help fund his treatment in the USA.

Alex’s father Jeff Goodwin, now back at home near Lutterworth, told the Mail that agents had approached the family offering deals to write a book about Alex and to film a documentary.

“We’re thinking about it” said Jeff. “Ultimately any money will go towards Alex’s treatment.”

First though the family must sort out immigration red tape, which rules that Alex must return to Britain in April, well before his course of treatment is complete.

Jeff, a police officer based in Rugby, said: “We’ve got lots of people helping us with this in America and in Britain.

“I’m attending a meeting at the American Embassy this week, where everything should be a little bit clearer.”

Alex and family originally went to America on a 90-day visa.

“Since then further information has come to light making it necessary to stay longer” explained Jeff.

The Goodwins now hope that Alex can be back in Britain in July.

Alex, who lives in a small village near Lutterworth, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in June last year.

With treatment options running out in Britain, the family made the decision to fundraise for Alex and go for cutting-edge treatment in the United States.

Alex has since had his entire right femur bone removed in a three-and-a-half hour operation at the University of Kansas Hospital, in a drastic bid to beat his cancer.

He faces more surgery soon, when the metal in his leg will be replaced by a bespoke telescopic femur, which can expand as he grows.

Jeff has been in the United States since December, as his son Alex deals with his radical treatment.

Jeff said: “It’s been a tough time. The best moment was when the orthopaedic oncology surgeon Howard Rosenthal came out to speak to us after the surgery and told me my son was OK.

“The low points were when we were told the cancer could still return, and the realisation of the impact the surgery has had on Alex, and the amount of physiotherapy he would need.”

Publicity about the case has resulted in Alex becoming a minor celebrity in the UK and in the USA.

His ‘boy versus cancer’ story has been featured on TV, radio and national newspapers in both countries.

His Twitter page ‘Alexander’s Journey’ has now got more than 22,000 followers.

“We’re helped by Alex” said Jeff. “He’s a very charismatic and positive young man.”

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