A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy fighting a rare cancer has found a potential stem cell match after 10,000 people offered to be a donor – and his mum says it’s “a million times” better than winning the Lottery. Brave Oscar Saxelby-Lee was given just months to find a match after his aggressive form of leukaemia worsened. The […]
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy fighting a rare cancer has found a potential stem cell match after 10,000 people offered to be a donor – and his mum says it’s “a million times” better than winning the Lottery.
Brave Oscar Saxelby-Lee was given just months to find a match after his aggressive form of leukaemia worsened.
The youngster, from St John’s, Worcester, has T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), a type of blood cancer caused by the bone marrow being unable to produce enough normal blood cells.
Since his desperate parents launched an appeal to find a stem cell match, more than 10,000 people have come forward to be tested to help Oscar.
Yesterday his thrilled mum Olivia confirmed three people have proved to be a match for Oscar, dramatically increasing his chances of survival.
Writing on the family’s Hand in Hand for Oscar Facebook page, Olivia, 23, said: “We have the best news to share! Oscar has a match!!!!
“Absolutely thrilled to announce Oscar has finally got a stem cell match, not just one but three and will be undergoing transplant very soon!!
“What an emotional rollercoaster it’s literally been a journey of heartache and dread continuously, but..WOW!!! What a feeling of relief and positivity to help Oscar kick cancer’s butt!!
Absolutely thrilled to announce Oscar has finally got a stem cell match, not just one but three and will be undergoing transplant very soon
Olivia Saxelby-Lee
“It’s been so so traumatic but we are over the moon with being given a chance to tackle the next step in treatment.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts to all of you out there who have registered, supported and continued to spread the word for our beautiful boy and those in need of wondrous bone marrow cells.
“We could never have done this without you all!!”
Speaking to BBC Radio Radio Hereford & Worcester, Olivia said of their news: “It’s a million times better than winning the Lottery.”
Oscar was diagnosed with the aggressive form of leukaemia after bruising turned out to be cancer on December 28 last year.
A record breaking 4,855 people queued for hours in the rain to get tested after Oscar’s headteacher Sarah Keating held an open day at Pitmaston Primary School in Worcester.
“I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am
DKMS, the charity that tests the swabs, said its previous record for the highest number of people to take part in a registration event is 2,200 people.
A series of other events saw more than 10,000 people volunteer to get tested.
Last week, Oscar’s parents had more good news when doctors confirmed that the chemotherapy was reducing the cancer cells.
Oscar, affectionately nicknamed Bear by his parents, is currently undergoing treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Olivia, who lives with partner and Oscar’s dad Jamie Lee, 26, added: “I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am.
“I don’t think any news has ever made us so happy in our entire lives.
“We know this is the beginning of yet another tough journey but we will beat this together and get him home where he belongs, living the life he absolutely deserves.
“Bear we are all behind you my darling.”
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