Pathfinder International magazine is honoured to pledge our support and official backing to Oliver’s story, which will become the magazine’s official fundraising campaign for 2023.
Oliver is 7 years old, an identical triplet who lives in Sunderland.
Oliver is a very bright, sociable and funny boy who loves life. He enjoys playing football with his friends and two brothers Owen and Oscar. His favourite football team is Sunderland A.F.C.
Sadly on the 19th February 2021 after becoming unwell Oliver was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma an extremely rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer, which typically affects children under 5.
Following the devastating news Oliver began treatment for his cancer at the Great North Children’s hospital Royal Victoria infirmary in Newcastle and also the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
Oliver is now nearly 20 months into his fight against this truly horrible, frightening and cruel disease. He has had to endure regular debilitating courses of chemotherapy which at times have made him extremely unwell requiring long stays in hospital.
Despite this it is truly amazing how strong and brave Oliver remains overcoming all the obstacles and challenges nature puts in his way and not wanting to tempt fate but the family now feel that they are finally beginning to see a small ray of light at the end of a very long dark tunnel and all being well Oliver is due to complete his treatment in July 2023 hopefully cancer free.
Unfortunately Neuroblastoma has a very high relapse rate, which means there is a high risk of Oliver’s cancer returning in the future.
To try and prevent this from happening the family with the support of the Bradley Lowery Foundation are aiming to raise £260000. This money would pay for and enable Oliver to receive a Neuroblastoma vaccine only available at present in the United States this would require Oliver to visit the MSKCC Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York 7 times over a 2 year period for further tests and treatment.
Oliver’s Uncle, Peter Wilson said: ”
The past 20 months has been an extremely stressful and challenging time.
Oliver is such an amazing little boy and we all love him very much. It continually astounds me how strong and brave he is, never complaining or moaning and his zest for life really is an example to us all.
I would like to say on behalf of the family how thankful we are to our N.H.S and in particular to the amazing Doctors Nurses and staff at the Great north Children’s Hospital, the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and the Royal Marsden Hospital in London for their love, care and support for Oliver throughout his difficult journey.
To date over £151000 has been raised to there is still a long way to go and time is running out.
It is overwhelming the support and kindness we have received in our fundraising campaign from family, friend’s colleagues and total strangers through all sorts of fundraising events and activities from sporting challenges charity nights and sky dives to cake sales, raffles, fancy dress days and direct donations and I am extremely thankful for every pound raised. Every pound raised really is a pound nearer to Oliver going to America and receiving his potentially lifesaving treatment and god willing going on to live a long healthy and happy life with his brothers and sister.
If you are able to help in anyway please get in touch.”
Pathfinder editor, Mal Robinson added: “I was made aware of Oliver’s story via business associates at Great Annual Savings and the Army network in the north. As a magazine, we try to back and help as many fundraising campaigns as we can and with this particular story being very local to the magazine, we were honoured when we were asked to help in any way we could.”
As part of the campaign, Pathfinder will monitor the fundraising campaign throughout 2023, including content in the magazine and online.
Mal continued, “we can’t wait to get started and help achieve the goal set by Oliver’s family and get Oliver the treatment he so badly needs.”
Donations to help Oliver’s cause can be made via his Just Giving page by clicking here!