Josie Grove's mum supports Hannah Jones

Nov 20 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

THEIR lives share a similar heart breaking trait. And last night the mum of brave Josie Grove said she couldn’t wait to give schoolgirl Hannah Jones a “big hug” when the pair come face to face.

Jacqui Grove, who is on a short trip back to the North East from her new home in Thailand, has already spoken to the youngster who chose not to continue with her treatment to help her live with acute myeloid leukaemia.

The pair are set for an emotional meeting next week as the 13-year-old’s plight mirrors the courageous battle the Corbridge youngster went through before she died last February.

Mrs Grove, 46, said: “I do really sympathise with her family. I’m sure they have her best interests at heart and that it’s the right decision.

“When I see her I just want to give her a big hug .

“I think she’s very brave and reminds me very much of Josie, just her whole attitude to everything. She’s also the same age as my daughter Libby.

“It’s only really her personal consultants that know her very well which can advise her. They have decided that what Hannah has decided is right for her.”

The 13-year-old, from Marden, Hereford, was told a heart transplant could possibly save her life, but her chances of surviving the operation are slim.

She added: “Children who go through the kind of treatment that is involved with leukaemia have long term treatment. They are very aware of the seriousness of any of their treatment and the effects.

“The doctors are very honest with the children, it tends to be a completely different world to normal children, they are very grown-up. Josie was always told the truth by her doctors and she was very involved in the decision making.

“At the end her choice was whether to continue her treatment or to just stop and enjoy her life and that’s what happened.”

Mrs Grove, who launched charity Josie’s Dragonfly with husband Cliff, are continuing to raise money to buy arts and crafts for terminally ill children, as well as giving one-off £500 grants in their final months.

Set up as a tribute to their daughter it raised almost £167,000 in its first year.

To support Josie’s Dragonfly visit www.josiesdragonfly.org

Click here to read stories from The Journal's 'Josie Grove Appeal'.