Solving Kids’ Cancer UK
Oliver Welch's Journey
Oliver is described by his dad as the happiest, most fun-loving boy you can imagine a real joy to be around. Oliver enrolled on the bivalent vaccine clinical trial in New York in February 2019.
Story
Eight-year-old Oliver loves Lego, Disney films and superheroes like The Flash!
Just before his third birthday, Oliver began acting a little less like himself. After being referred to their local hospital, on his third birthday, a large tumour was found in his chest, and he was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. During his treatment, baby sister, Eva, was also diagnosed with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma.
Oliver's story
Leading up to the summer in 2017 Oliver became a little less himself and at times seemed a little sadder. He had less energy and started waking up at night upset.
"We thought he was a bit unsettled because we had just had a new baby but then we noticed he was falling over occasionally and not wanting to walk for long distances. We began to worry", says Louise, Oliver's mum.
His parents took him to the doctors who at first didnt think there was anything wrong. After a few days they returned, still worried about him and this time they were referred to their local hospital.
A large tumour was found in his chest and Oliver was transferred to Manchester Children's Hospital. After several tests, Oliver was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma on his third birthday. The cancer had spread to other areas of his body.
"Nothing could have prepared us for finding out that our beautiful little boy had cancer", says Louise. "When the doctor sat us down to see the X-Ray of his chest with the tumour for the first time it made me feel instantly sick and faint."
Treatment
After his diagnosis he began eight rounds of chemotherapy this worked and got rid of most of the cancer. He then had major surgery to remove the remaining primary tumour, which was followed by high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant.
Oliver then received immunotherapy and 14 rounds of radiotherapy to complete his frontline treatment in November 2018. Whilst Oliver was undergoing treatment, in October 2017, his little sister, Eva, was diagnosed with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma. She received chemotherapy and had two surgeries.
"We couldnt believe that both our children have had to deal with this awful disease. Sometimes we think about the odds and how life can be so cruel, but were just determined to fight for them both and keep our little family together. Oliver understands that Eva has almost the same thing that he has. Its amazing watching how hes cared for her, despite going through the same awful experience."
Next steps
Oliver completed frontline treatment in late 2018 and his end of treatment scans showed he was clear of disease. In February 2019, Oliver and his family travelled to New York so he could start the bivalent vaccine clinical trial, which he completed in February 2020.
Sadly, in the summer of 2022, Olivers disease returned, and he has since been receiving treatment for this on the NHS. Once Oliver is back in remission, the family aim for him to access further maintenance therapy.
Olivers campaign remains open in case he needs any potentially life-saving treatment in the future not available through the NHS, which could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Solving Kids' Cancer UK's children's fundraising campaigns
Funds raised will go towards helpingOliver and hisfamily. IfOliverno longer needs the funds or is in remission five years post the end of successful treatment, the funds will be used to support other children and families affected by neuroblastoma through our activities. For children with high-risk neuroblastoma, like Oliver, the survival rate is much lower than other childhood cancers. Upon relapse, this rate reduces even further.