A young Glengormley boy battling a rare form of cancer began one of the toughest rounds of his treatment this week when he started receiving high dose chemotherapy.
Hightown toddler Oscar Knox, whose campaign to raise £250,000 for life saving treatment is being supported by the Belfast Media Group, began a week of chemotherapy on Monday (July 2).
The three year old is battling a highly aggressive form of childhood cancer called neuroblastoma and his family are campaigning to raise the quarter of a million pounds needed to send him abroad for treatment.
His dad Stephen said this week is a tough week for the family as Oscar moved into isolation in the Royal Victoria Hospital to receive his chemotherapy.
“He has been ok so far, it is very tough on him. He hasn’t been himself and has been sick,” he said.
“The hospital told us there is a significant chance he could end up in intensive care with this chemo because it is so strong, he could end up with liver failure from it so it is a tough time.
“He will be getting the high dose chemo for five days then will have two days where he has his stem cells reinforced. He is in isolation and can’t see his wee sister so it’s very hard.”
Brave Oscar came to the public’s attention after his take on the now-famous image of Irish football fans on their way to the European Championships displaying a tricolour with the message: “Angela Merkel thinks we’re at work”.
The photo became a viral sensation during Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign.
Stephen said the family is delighted that through their social networking and media campaign they have so afr raised 10 per cent of the total they need to pay for Oscar’s treatment.
“People have been so generous,” he said. “It is amazing to see so many strangers showing their support for us. We are really delighted.”
The family’s moving story on Oscar’s condition and his ongoing treatment is chronicled in a blog, available for viewing at www.oscarknox.blogspot.co.uk, Donations to help him reach his goal can be made at www.justgiving.com/teams/weeoscar or in person at the Belfast Media Group’s offices at Hannahstown Hill or on the Antrim Road.
The family can be contacted for fundraising ideas and details at Teamoscar@hotmail.co.uk
