Six-year-old given heroes welcome by his classmates after months of life-saving cancer treatment in Singapore
A six-year-old who won the nations hearts in his battle with leukaemia has been given a heroes welcome after flying home following months of life-saving cancer treatment in Singapore.
Brave Oscar Saxelby-Lee from St Johns, Worcester, was diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer in December 2018 after his parents noticed unusual bruising on his legs.
Doctors gave him months to find a stem cell match to save his life which led to parents Olivia Saxelby, 25, and Jamie Lee, 28, launching a UK-wide appeal for donors.
Last March a record-breaking 4,855 volunteers queued in the freezing rain after Oscar’s primary school in opened as a testing centre.
In total more than 10,000 people were tested across the UK until a match was finally found.
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But just months later, the family faced further anguish after discovering Oscar’s cancer had returned.
After a crowdfunding campaign raised £600,000, Oscar was flown to Singapore for pioneering treatment not available on the NHS.
Oscar became only the second child in the world to undergo CAR-T therapy before having a second bone marrow transplant using stem cells from dad Jamie.
Just three months after the successful operation, Oscar and his parents were given the all clear to return to the UK and hours after touching down he was driven see his classmates, who cheered as he drove past the school gates.
In heartwarming pictures Oscar grins from ear to ear as his proud dad sits next to him and his mum breaks down in tears of joy.
Pupils gave Oscar a huge bunch of colourful balloons which the youngster struggled to fit inside the car.
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Jen Kelly, from the Grace Kelly Trust which helped raise £173,000 to fund his life-saving treatment, said: “The Grave Kelly Trust is delighted to see Oscar returning home to the UK with his mum and dad.
“Out smiles have been growing ever wider as we watched Oscar’s miraculous journey.
“We are so proud to have been able to play a key part in Oscar’s bid for life-saving treatment in Singapore and it is wonderful to see Oscar doing so well following his ground-breaking treatment.
“This news is amazing, not just for Oscar, but potentially for other children in a similar position in the future.
“Oscar still has a way to go and will need to be shielded for a good while longer once he gets home, but he remains cancer free and smiling.”
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Throughout his treatment, Oscar has kept in touch with his classmates and teachers from his hospital bed via an innovative robot - nicknamed ‘Ozzybot’.
His headteacher Kate Wilcock, who organised the huge donor registration event and Ozzybot lessons, said: “There have been plenty of ups and downs to get here but this is the absolute icing on the cake that he’s come home, cancer free and it’s worked.
“Our future plans now will be to support Oscar and his family and even start some learning at home.
“Then we will be working really closely with Olivia, Jamie and Oscar for some transition into school.
“That will be the best day when he walks back through the door at Pitmaston Primary.”
When he left hospital for the final time in Singapore Ozzy, as he is affectionately nicknamed, was given a guard of honour by medical staff.
A video posted on the Hand in Hand for Oscar Facebook page, shows the youngster beaming as he is driven away and shouts: “Bye hospital, thank you!”
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His thrilled mum Olivia wrote: “Can’t quite believe it, crying bucket loads! The day we’ve dreamt of has now become a reality!
“We’re actually bringing him home!!!
“You are our HERO Ozzy Bear, you truly truly are the most amazing miracle.
“Enjoy every last minute of this journey darling, because YOU have owned [sic] it!”
Additional reporting SWNS.
