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Bill Burton - Oxford To Cambridge 2010 British Heart Foundation

On 3rd October 2010 I am partaking in a 90 mile bike ride from Oxford to Cambridge. This is in aid of two charities, the British Heart Foundation and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

My nephew Oliver was born with Downs Syndrome in 2002. The family was coping with the situation and everything was going fine up until March 2006. This was when Oliver was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia aged just 3 and a half. Oliver underwent sustained Chemotherapy and many operations in order to copy with the illness at such a young age. After just over 2 years of hard work, courage and treatment, Oliver went into remission in June 2008. This came as a big relief and we started getting back to normal. Then in May 2010, my sister noticed a deteriation in Olivers condition and fearing the worst took him back to the doctors. Her suspitions were confirmed and he was diagnoised as having relapsed with the Leukemia. The doctors however then told my sister that this time it was highly likely that the cancer would be terminal giving Oliver around 6 months to live. She was given the choice to go full on with the chemotherapy with a very slim hope of Oliver surviving, or to get him better to give him as good a life as possible before the inevitable. My sister chose to make his life as good as possible in the short time he has left.

Whilst in hospital Oliver developed a severe case of Stevens Johnson Syndrome and wasn't expected to live through the night. Miraculously he pulled through and was released from hospital in late June 2010. Before he was released he was diagnosed with steroid induced diabetes, pneumonia, fluid on the lung, pericardial infusion (fluid around the heart) and in his time with his illnesses has had around 40 - 50 operations.

Oliver is now in a wheel chair and cannot walk due to the long time spent in a hospital bed.

Please give as much as you are able.

The money for the Teenage Cancer Trust will be going towards an appeal for a specialist unit at Ward 27 of the Leicester Royal Infirmary (where Olly was treated). This will make a massive difference to so many young lives.

Thanks for reading!