A NEW fund-raising effort for the parents of brave city six-year-old Oscar Saxelby-Lee has been launched to provide financial support to the couple out in Singapore.
Organised by Jem Smith,the JustGiving page aims to raise cash for Oscar’s mum and dad Olivia and Jamie to fund expenses away from hospital such as a place to live and food as well as expenses being incurred in the UK while the couple are unable to work.
The couple have remained by Oscar’s side during the ground-breaking treatment in Singapore which has ridden his body of any signs of t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. However the joy of beating the illness for the second time has been tempered with awful side effects from the treatment.
Writing on the JustGiving page, Jem said: “This is truly every parents worst nightmare. They’re doing all they can to give Oscar a chance at life. But money remains a stress in the backs of their minds that they do not need, and I am setting out to take some of this strain off them.”
Oscar’s mum Olivia paid tribute to the efforts of friends and all those who have shown support to Oscar.
“Although money is the last thing on our minds right now, we still have no choice but to source it somehow,” she said.
“With Singapore being one of the most expensive countries in the world, postponed flights home, more gruelling treatments to come, neither of us working or any income coming in, and bills back home to pay, we will struggle.
“You guys have supported our every decision and helped us get this far through sheer love and compassion. If you could help us in any way we would be eternally grateful, but again please don’t feel you must.
“If any of you do decide to fund-raise let us know and take lots of videos so we can share with Oscar. Alternatively, any kiddy winks of yours who haven’t yet recorded a short clip for Oscar, please do get them to, he loves watching them all.”
Oscar is currently battling the side effects from the CAR-T treatment which successfully tackled the agressive form of leukaemia in his body and the heartbroken mum said life was not being kind to the six-year-old at the moment.
“He has been suffering with a storm of neurotoxicity to his brain causing aphasia (loss of speech), confusion, loss of coordination, muscle deterioration, fever, chills, headaches, hypotension and tachycardia. To say he’s had it tough would be a complete understatement,” she said.
“He really is trying his absolute hardest to turn a corner, but life is not being kind to him right now. The minute he picks himself up, he’s knocked back down from exhaustion.
The brave Pitmaston Primary School youngster is awaiting a stem cell transplant to restart his battered immune system but hospital chiefs in Singapore are awaiting the results of further tests before deciding on the next course of action.
“Each day both Jamie and I face the reality of loosing our baby. Each day we suffer in silence, trying desperately to be strong for ourselves and one another. Each day we paint a brave face, listen and communicate with people who don’t really empathise fully, for engaging too much emotionally would damage their professionalism.
“When I look into Oscar’s eyes I feel a thousand emotions combined together but most of all I see a strength I admire. We know we’ve got to be strong too but being strong isn’t always easy,” she added.
Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jem-smith for more.
