Matt was first diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer in June 2023 after having extreme stomach pain
A dad-of-four has been given the heart-wrenching news that he has only 18 months to live after his bowel cancer returned and spread. Matt Jones, 39, described the diagnosis as “crushing” and shared his fears that his two youngest children “will not even remember [him] when [he’s] gone”.
The painter and decorator revealed he still feels “numb” from the devastating update. But he is resolved to “make the most of the time [he] has left”.
In a touching show of community spirit, people have set up a GoFundMe page. They have hopes of funding a dream trip to Disneyland for Matt and his family to create unforgettable memories.
Matt, from High Halden, Kent, was initially diagnosed with Stage 3 bowel cancer in June 2023 following a collapse at home due to severe stomach pain. After having most of his large bowel removed and undergoing six months of chemotherapy, he was declared in remission in March 2024.
Tragically, by December, the cancer had returned. Although doctors considered restarting treatment, a recent scan revealed the cancer had spread to his liver, ruling out the possibility of surgery, reports Bristol Live.
Matt and his wife Nicki were informed there was nothing more that could be done medically. Matt said: “At first, I just felt empty. When I was first told the cancer had returned in December, I broke down, but this time, it was just numbness.”
“My wife and I just sat there, trying to process it. It’s crushing, especially when I can have days where I feel almost normal.”
Matt and Nicki, parents of four including eight year old William, five year old Isabelle, and 20-month-old twins Esme and Isla, are grappling with how to break the devastating news of Matt’s illness. Matt said: “We’re trying to find the right time. They know I’ve been unwell, but we haven’t told them everything yet.”
He added: “We just want to keep things as normal as possible for them. My worst fear in all of this is knowing the twins will not even remember me when I’m gone. It’s such a hard thought.”
Esme and Isla were born just weeks before Matt was first diagnosed with cancer in 2023, and Nicki herself underwent surgery for a glioma brain tumour in 2022, requiring ongoing scans. Matt said: “We’ve been through so much already. It’s been one thing after another. When Nicki was in hospital with the twins after they were born, I started experiencing severe pain.
“I ended up having emergency surgery because I had a blockage in my bowel that was life-threatening. That’s when we found out it was cancer.”
After months of treatment the family hope the worst was over but Matt’s symptoms returned. By December, tests confirmed the cancer had come back.
Matt said: “I started chemotherapy again straight away, and in January, I was told I’d been accepted for surgery in Basingstoke. But before going ahead, they wanted to check my liver again, because there were some suspicious findings. That’s when we got the latest news that it had spread, and surgery was no longer an option.”
Following the devastating update, the High Halden community has stepped up to support the Jones family. A GoFundMe page has seen a surge of generosity, with £5,960 donated so far.
Matt expressed his gratitude, saying: “The amount of love and support we’ve had from the community has been overwhelming. There are raffles, golf days, and fundraising events happening – I can’t keep up with it all. It really does mean the world to us.”
Matt is focusing on his family and cherishing every moment with his loved ones. He said: “I don’t know how we’ve got through it all, but somehow we have.
“Right now, I’m just focusing on making the most of the time I have left and spending it with the people I love.”
To support Matt and his family, contributions can be made via their GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-dream-trip-for-a-family-facing-cancer-every-moment-counts.