Oscar was born in June 2014, a much-longed-for baby. He was a normal, healthy, happy little toddler. But, when he was three years old, Oscar was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma of the right temporal fossa.
Within days of diagnosis, Oscar had his central line fitted and was admitted to the hospital to receive round one of 13 sessions of chemotherapy. It was decided that surgery to remove the mass was an option.
Oscar underwent surgery but, due to inadequate healthy tissue margins, Oscar would still need proton therapy treatment to hopefully reduce the risk of relapse.
Oscar and his family flew out to Germany to start proton beam therapy treatment. They lived in Germany for seven weeks while Oscar received 28 sessions of proton therapy, under general anaesthetic, 5 days each week. That was Oscar’s final course of treatment and, on their return to the UK, he finally got to ring the End of Treatment bell.
Oscar never complained, even though he struggled with terrible sickness, joint pain and fatigue, but this didn’t stop him from always having the biggest smile on his face and filling the room with his infectious laugh.
Oscar is doing really well now and life is slowly returning to some kind of normal for him and his family.
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Nancy, 11, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma when she was just 2 years old. She was treated with Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) in Germany but unfortunately relapsed less than a year later. The family were then sent to Germany for a second round of PBT. Although treatment helped to cure Nancy’s cancer, she has been left with lots of lasting effects which will require ongoing treatment throughout her life. Here Nancy and her mum, Antonia, share their story in the hope it will help others, raise awareness, and raise more money for children’s cancer research.
Why I am a Trustee of CCRF
I have spent my professional career representing individuals and families affected by the devastating asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, which has no cure and for which there are only a limited number of palliative treatments available on the NHS.
I joined CCRF because I wanted to bring my understanding of the need to raise awareness of less well known cancers and passion for the need to secure improved funding for research to children facing a cancer diagnosis.
My role on the Board
I am responsible for oversight of our collaboration agreements with other charities to co-fund research into cures and treatments for childhood cancers. I also manage our challenge events and help with community fundraising.
My Background
I am a Senior Associate at Irwin Mitchell LLP and specialise in Asbestos Disease Litigation, acting on behalf of victims of asbestos related diseases and their families. Over the years, I have undertaken a number of fundraising challenges to raise money for cancer research, including a 1000 mile cycle ride from Glasgow to Southampton.
