Wee Oscar's family 'hope for good news'

Published Friday, 12 October 2012
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The father of Oscar Knox has told UTV the family are hopeful of good news on Friday, but still don't know when they will be able to return home.

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Four-year-old Oscar, who has a rare form of cancer, travelled to America over the weekend with the aim of beginning six months of specialist treatment.

However, because of a recently discovered heart issue, he will not be able to receive the therapy - and the brave Belfast boy is now in intensive care.

As his father Stephen explained, Oscar is also suffering from a breathing problem.

"Oscar is okay ... he's weak," he told UTV.

"The problem with his heart is related to his lungs and his lung function is just not great so he's on a ventilator to help with his breathing. Now he is stable but still very weak and he's in danger here so we're just hoping for good news today.

Our focus at the minute is just getting through this new sickness that's cropped up.

Stephen Knox

"The plan is to get him fit for transportation, medical transportation in an air ambulance I believe so it could be early next week, late next week or even the week after.

"We'll have to wait and see."

Oscar's parents were able to make the journey to Philadelphia after they managed to raise £250,000 towards the medical care thanks to a Twitter campaign which went global.

Stephen said he wants the fund raising efforts to continue, adding that the money will go towards Oscar and other children who need help.

He continued: "Any money that's raised for Oscar is not going to go to waste - it will go to use on helping him get better and ultimately go to any little kids who desperately need it so we are going to keep on fundraising and we will see how it goes."

Meanwhile back in Northern Ireland, lots of people including a number of well known local faces attended a gala ball in Belfast for Oscar on Thursday night.

Belfast Olympic boxers Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlon, were amongst those who turned out at the Europa Hotel for the special fundraiser.

Oscar's dad said they were following the event via Twitter out in Philadelphia and wanted to thank everyone who took part.

"We're so proud that Oscar brought so many people together for a night and want to give massive thanks for everyone who came along," he said.

"It sounds like it was a really brilliant night. We were reading the updates on Twitter all evening and for Oscar it was fantastic and it seems like everybody had a brilliant night.

"There was a few well known faces there and it just sounds like it was a great success."

© UTV News
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6 Comments
Briege Glover in Leumeah, Australia wrote (248 days ago):
To Little Oscar and all his dear Family we are all praying for you here DOWN UNDER and hope you all make it home safely Love and BestWishes especially to Granny Susie xoxoxo
Dianne O'Neill in Seattle & Maghera wrote (249 days ago):
Dear wee Oscar, you are in our thoughts and prayers day and night, as are your dear family. What an amazing little man you are! The world loves you and has faith you will make good progress each day and beat this horrible cancer xx
David Rea in Lisburn wrote (250 days ago):
Hi Stephen just caught the news today my thoughts are with you and you're family.Hope the wee man gets all the help that's required to get him on the mend.keep positive and be strong.
brian estelle ryan callum aaron curry in lisburn co antrim wrote (250 days ago):
hi stephen we r praying and hoping all will go well. may the blessing of heaven rest upon you all and give you strength to carry on. see u sometime bc
Brenda Colton in Omagh wrote (250 days ago):
Thoughts and Prayers are with the Knox family. Hope wee Oscar gets better soon to receive his treatment. Such an inspiration to us all. x
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