More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The family of a six-year-old who loved rock music and playing his guitar have paid tribute to the little boy who lost his battle with cancer.
Zak Hammond, six, from Leeds, near Maidstone, passed away two weeks ago after a four year battle with a rare tumour called rhabdomyosarcoma in his liver.
The Kingswood Primary School pupil was first diagnosed in 2017 when the solid tumour quickly grew in his abdomen.
He started his fight against the disease after 80 days on a ventilator at St George's Hospital and underwent intensive bouts of chemotherapy.
After having his pancreas, spleen and the bottom of his stomach removed in June 2018, Zak continued with months of radiotherapy and was eventually able to ring the end of treatment bell at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey.
His mother, Caroline Sharp said: "In September 2019 he was well enough to start school and he absolutely loved it.
"We were under the impression everything was fine and he did his first nativity that Christmas.
"Then in February, 2020, before lockdown he started to look a little bit yellow.
"Never in a million years did I think it was anything serious but it turned out there was another tumour."
Doctors told the family the tumour Zak had battled so hard to fight against had returned and he would this time need a liver transplant.
Once again Zak underwent gruelling chemotherapy between May and September before his transplant in October last year.
He was able to recover at home with his mum, Caroline, dad David, and big brothers Tom, eight, and Harry, 18.
They hoped the transplant would once again push Zak into remission but further CT scans at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury earlier this year revealed more tumours had appeared elsewhere and there was nothing more doctors could do.
Ms Sharp said: "We thought we would have about 12 weeks with him but in reality we only had about three.
"All the way through, Zak never once complained or questioned why it was him.
"He loved life and he taught us all how to crack on with the day no matter how tough it was.
"It was hard to see him unwell because he was like a little tornado in the house. He was always busy, always moving around and it will be incredibly quiet without him.
"His brothers miss him terribly but they have kept Zak's spirit and are carrying on.
"The determination he had to stick around was inspiring. He had a positive impact on everyone he met and he made a difference to our lives everyday.
"A lot of people say we got him through the last four years but the reality is Zak got us through it.
"I’m very sad I won't be able to see what he would have done with his life."
Zak enjoyed spending time outdoors and loved planting things in the family's allotment, but his biggest passion was music.
Having seen the end of the film Bohemian Rhapsody, he became a huge fan of Queen.
He would watch videos of the band performing on repeat on YouTube and particularly loved mimicking Brian May with his own electric guitar.
Ms Sharp said: "He even had a fantastic WhatsApp message sent to him from Brian May and more recently he was due to have an online zoom lesson with him.
"It would have been the Monday before he passed away but he was just too unwell.
"Brian instead sent another private message to him and Zak loved it."
Zak was so brave, he was recognised in Lotties Lollies Little Heroes prize giving scheme alongside his brother Tom.
In memory of the courageous little boy who never failed to put a smile on people's faces, Zak's family is fundraising for Demelza Hospice in Sittingbourne, and CLIC Sargent, two charities that supported them throughout.
When Zak was undergoing chemotherapy, the team at Demelza provided transport to the Royal Marsden every day taking away the added pressure of driving, and the cost of transport from Caroline and David.
Then when Zak needed support at home in his final weeks, they provided incredible care alongside emotional support.
The bereavement suite was also available for Caroline and David to say goodbye to their little boy.
Since the start of Zak's diagnosis, the team at CLIC Sargent helped the family access financial support so they could continue to focus their attention on Zak's needs.
With fundraising efforts stunted by the virus, Ms Sharp says she hopes the collection in Zak's name will mean the charities can continue to provide the same level of support to other families going through the toughest time of their life.
Ms sharp added: "When your child is sick, the last thing you think about is paying your bills.
"Our little boy died far too young and fought with such spirit, we want to make sure others in his situation receive the same support to enable them to focus on recovery."
The youngster's funeral has been organised for April 27 at Vinters Park Crematorium in Bearsted Road.
As a tribute to his love for music, close friends and family will be wearing rock themed t-shirts and Queen will be playing.
To donate to Demelza in Zak's memory, click here.
