A SIX-year-old boy battling an aggressive form of leukaemia has vowed: "I will kick cancer's butt."
Jacob Salmon, of east Hull, suffers from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a rapidly progressive cancer.
He has had chemotherapy and surgery and is taking steroids to help him stay alive.
But despite being in almost constant pain, Jacob has not once complained about his illness.
Jacob, who turned six last month, said: "I know what I am fighting.
"It hurts sometimes but I am not scared of it.
"I will kick cancer's butt."
His mother Joanne Salmon said, despite the devastating diagnosis, Jacob is determined to beat cancer.
After the leukaemia was discovered nine months ago, Jacob had two months of intensive treatment at Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Miss Salmon, 43, said: "It was the most terrible time. Jacob was fighting for his life in a hospital bed and he stopped breathing three times.
"Each time I thought it was over and each time I thought it was goodbye.
"But he is an unbelievable fighter and he is still fighting now."
Since the cancer was discovered, Jacob has had 500 hospital procedures including chemotherapy sessions, lumbar punctures and blood transfusions.
He was diagnosed with the disease after complaining of stiff legs and chapped lips.
Miss Salmon now wants other parents to be aware of the symptoms.
She said: "I remember one day Jacob was fine and the next, he had chapped lips and stiff legs. He was complaining and he was lethargic.
"I thought he was messing about to be honest, but I dragged him to the doctors.
"The next thing I remember is being referred to Sheffield Children's Hospital and receiving the devastating news that my beloved little boy had cancer.
"You think it will never happen to you, but it can.
"And when it does it is the most devastating news in the world. Everything around me disappeared – our lives had fallen apart in the space of a few days.
"I almost didn't take Jacob to hospital but I am so glad I did because he may not be here today otherwise.
"I would urge all parents, if they are having any problems with their child's health, to get to a doctor.
"You cannot be too careful."
The diagnosis meant Jacob was unable to start his first year at Ings Primary School.
He will instead join the school next month, when he will spend one hour a day in classes.
Miss Salmon said the intensive treatments, which have led to him losing his blonde hair five times, have been tough on her young son.
He is still facing three more years of treatment to defeat the disease completely.
She said: "Jacob's body has been struggling to take the huge amounts of steroids in recent weeks and that puts all his treatment back.
"But we will get through this. We have a long road ahead of us but losing is not an option.
"It is tough and if I need to cry I will always do it away from Jacob.
"But we cannot give up after coming this far. We will win."
