The parents of a three-year-old who is undergoing intensive radiotherapy sessions in Florida say they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the support of their friends and family.

In December last year, three-year-old Oli Cohen was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone and soft tissue cancer, in his spine after doctors tried to discover why he was suffering from a pain behind his left knee.

After undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Cohen family, who live in Woodside Park, North Finchley, have now travelled to Jacksonville, Florida, where Oli will receive daily proton beam radiotherapy funded by the NHS.

To date he has had 23 treatments with eight to go, and is due to have more one more cycle of chemotherapy in Florida and a further five when they return to the UK in mid-July.

Mother Katie Cohen, 33, said: “Oli is doing well and coping with the treatment.

“When he smiles, we smile. But we’re all heartbroken because he’s our little boy and it really hurts.

“It’s a long road and we just have to believe he’ll be okay.”

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But thanks to family friend Jenni Joplin, the trip won’t just be about hospital visits as a fundraising page has been set up to cover the family’s living expenses and ensure they have the best possible time while abroad.

So far, more than £22,000 has been raised by friends, family, colleagues and even strangers to help Oli, his four-month-old brother Jamie and parents Katie and Steven enjoy their trip.

Mrs Cohen said: “The support has overwhelmed us and we appreciate it so much.

“People have been so kind to our family in so many ways ever since this happened and that has continued since our friend set up the fund,”

“Our main aim out here is to keep Oli smiling and create an adventure for him that he will remember.

“We have managed to visit the Disney parks in Orlando, take a few long weekends to the beach and enjoy some much needed family time.”

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The family also met quarterback Blake Bortles of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the local NFL team, after attending the team’s training session.

Now Emma Kisner, Oli’s aunt and Katie’s sister, and her colleagues from Kenmore Park Infant and Nursery School in Kenton are organising their own fundraiser event to add to the funds.

Being held on Thursday, June 25, the school will host a pamper evening featuring various beauty therapies, reflexology and hair styling.

Also on offer at the event, which will be held in Pinner Village Hall from 7pm, will be jewellery, clothes and gift stalls along with refreshments.

Mrs Kisner said: “Even though proton beam treatment is funded by NHS, the fund is there to make lasting memories for Oli and his family and to pay for day to day expenses.

“We are very close as staff and this has touched so many people, so they wanted to do something to help me support the family.”

Tickets cost £5 per person, and can be booked by emailing keepolismiling@hotmail.com.