Schoolboy Jack Howard, 12, whose brave cancer battle won support from The Rolling Stones and Premier League footballers dies
Footie aces helped with the crowdfuning appeal for 12-year-old Jack Howard who was battling kidney cancer for the second time
A BRAVE schoolboy who won the support of The Rolling Stones and top football players has lost his battle with cancer.
Jack Howard, from Kent, sadly died on Sunday just 12 weeks after he travelled to Los Angeles with his family for pioneering treatment in an attempt to cure his kidney cancer.
A family friend announced the sad news on social media saying: "With a heavy heart we are sad to announce Jack passed away on Sunday night, the family would like to thank everyone for their support."
His aunt Keeley Howard added: "He was with his mum and dad in bed when it happened and is now in peace with his West Ham shirt on."
Jack was battling cancer for the second time, having first been diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2013.
Following an intense course of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery to remove his left kidney, he was on his way to recovery.
But a year later, the cancer returned and it spread to his lungs.
Because Jack had already gone through radiotherapy during the first bout of treatment when they discovered the relapse, he was unable to have it again.
His aunt, Keely, set up an online fundraising campaign with the hashtag #helpJack to raise money for his treatment and accommodation in US.
Family, friends and generous strangers helped raise thousands of pounds for to help get Jack, and his family, to America so he could get treatment.
He was treated at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles in Sunset Boulevard - the hospital Amber Heard donated half of her £5.4million divorce settlement from Johnny Depp to.
The fundraising efforts reached a quarter of a million pounds - helped by celebrity sponsors who spread the word.
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Speaking on behalf of Jack's parents, Nick and Zoe, both 42, Keeley described the public support as "overwhelming".
She said: "We raised all that money, but unfortunately it can't buy everything.
"It's been overwhelming and we're really grateful for all the help and support, and Jack was grateful.
"As parents they did everything that they could, but unfortunately he slipped away."
Rolling Stone's legend Keith Richards recorded a message for Jack - he is seen playing the guitar and saying: "Hi Jack - we're all thinking of you, mate. You've gotta keep fighting, you know."
Drummers Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts were also pictured showing their support, as they hold posters showing the #HelpJack.
West Ham football aces Dimitri Payet and Sam Bryam also cheered up young Jack when they called him over Facetime to send him their best wishes.
And LA Galaxy footballer A.J. DeLaGarza - a former teammate of David Beckham - stopped by the hospital for a personal visit to put a smile on his face.
Plenty of support has also been received from the club itself, with Co-chairman David Sullivan personally contributing to the total raised.
Keely added: "The family are so grateful. They never thought they'd get that support and they're grateful that they had the opportunity to go to the States and give that treatment a go."
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