A schoolboy has one wish this Christmas – an oxygen chamber that can help fight his cancer.
Slav Vavro was diagnosed in January last year with a rare and aggressive type of cancer called stage four alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.
The 14-year-old went through 27 weeks of harsh chemotherapy in Crumlin Children’s Hospital that included cocktail of four different drugs.
After this, doctors told the family there is no further treatment available outside of clinics and further treatment would be palliative, not curative.
This Christmas, his brave mum Nadia is spearheading fundraisers to get Slav an oxygen chamber for his home to save him from painful car journeys from his house in Bettystown, Co Meath to Newry, Co Down, every week for oxygen treatment.
She said: “Slav currently commutes for the oxygen treatment three to five times a week plus other appointments on top of that.
“Hours spent in the car cause bad pain in his spine and it is also extremely time-consuming so he could not return to school yet.
“Purchasing a hyperbaric oxygen chamber for home use will be extremely helpful and beneficial for Slav. He will be able to use it even twice a day.
“We cannot do this without the help of other people as this equipment is not covered by the HSE.
“The hyperbaric chamber is going to be purchased from the official and certified submarine manufacturer and costs around €70,000.”
Slav’s cancer began in his foot but spread into his bones and caused compression fractures of his vertebrae.
The family and kind friends have organised numerous fundraisers for the youngster but they are still a long way off meeting their target.
Nadia continued: “With only 5% chance to survive three years after diagnosis – we have to do everything possible and beyond to save our Slav.”
- If you would like to donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/oxygen-for-slav .
