Let Oscar Shine – Help Oscar Beat Neuroblastoma!
In February 2019 only a few months after celebrating Oscar’s 3rd birthday and finding out he was going to become a big brother, we received the news that no parent should ever have to hear. Our beautiful blue-eyed boy, with a gentle heart and soul, had been diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma. In an instant, our families hopes and dreams were shattered.
Within 48 hours of initial scans and biopsies, Oscar had complications under general anaesthetic and ended up intubated in ICU. We spent the next two months in hospital having chemotherapy whilst recovering. It was brutal, he was violently ill and temporarily lost mobility to sit up and walk. Further investigation also found a lymphatic fluid leak which required drains in both sides of his lungs to remove the fluid.
Over the following 16 months, Oscar endured 5 rounds of chemotherapy, stem cell retrieval and transplant with further high dose chemotherapy, a 10-hour surgery to remove his remaining tumour, 12 sessions of radiation, six months of immunotherapy, multiple other surgical procedures under general anaesthetic including insertion of a PICC line which was later replaced with a Hickman line, biopsies, bone marrow aspirates, blood and platelet transfusions, weekly dressing changes and nasal gastric tube replacements.
Throughout Oscar’s treatment, although he continued to respond, it took the entire 16 months to hear the news our boy was "NED – no evidence of disease". It was the news we had waited so long to hear. We were overjoyed and looked forward to becoming a normal family again.
Unfortunately, our newfound hope was shattered just three months later when routine scans showed Oscar had relapsed in his leg. With only two small spots we proceeded with a biopsy and radiation. However, in just six short weeks Oscar’s disease had spread into his ankle, femur, hip, multiple spots in his spine, shoulder, arm and in his bone marrow. Results of his leg biopsy showed Oscar’s tumour tested positive for both the ALK and TERT genes making his cancer extremely aggressive.
At this point, it had been close to two years of treatment and we were almost back to where we had begun. Our oncology team advised us we had options to continue with chemotherapy and immunotherapy which could give us time but heartbreakingly there is no known cure for relapsed neuroblastoma in Australia.
While Oscar will continue to have treatment for the remainder of this year with chemotherapy and immunotherapy every three weeks, we have researched worldwide for further treatment options in hope of finding a long term cure.
Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York has a neuroblastoma vaccine currently being evaluated in clinical trials. It targets two proteins found on neuroblastoma tumours. They train the immune system to identify and destroy neuroblastoma cells that remain in the body. The early phases of this therapy have shown positive results to date and participating in this is Oscar’s best chance for survival.
Currently, the trial requires 7 vaccinations over 12 months however it is expected that MSK will this year announce an increase to 10 vaccines over the course of 2 years. This would require us to travel back and forth to New York. Unfortunately, this treatment comes at a large cost for international patients to cover medical bills, accommodation and travel expenses. It is estimated we will require up to AU$450,000.
Asking for help is not something that comes easily to our family. However the longer we have been on this journey, the realisation that this is beyond our abilities has become very evident. And that is so incredibly heartbreaking to say.
Please help us get Oscar to America for further treatment so he has a chance to live the life he so truly deserves.
We are so grateful to everyone for donating, sharing Oscar’s fundraising campaign and for the love and support we continue to receive from everyone. THANK YOU for helping to give our son another chance.
With our heartfelt gratitude,
The Dixon & Rotherham families.
A link to the trial can be found below and although it suggests this will only run until May 2021, it is an ongoing trial. We are in regular contact with Dr Modak at MSK and can confirm this trial will continue with expected changes to the number of vaccines and the time frame it will run over.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00911560
Follow Oscar on Instagram and Facebook to keep up-to-date on his journey to beat Neuroblastoma,
https://www.instagram.com/let_oscar_shine/
https://www.facebook.com/Let-Oscar-Shine-Help-Him-Beat-Neuroblastoma-113401094174872
Thank you to my Sponsors
$20
Anonymous
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Chris Robinson
Sincerely hoping you are able to help your beautiful brave boy.
$10
Ollie Brown
Hi Oscar my name is Ollie.I'm 11 years old. I know you will get through this. I know you will. 🙂
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Thanh Nguyen
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Andrew Gibson
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Adriel Jerome Miguel
Pray that you get better soon little buddy! Stray strong
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Amanda Vella
Wishing you all the very best Oscar. Keep being strong! Amanda.
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Anonymous
All the very very best to you oscar
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Luisa G Mitchell
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Owen Family
Best wishes to you all. Stay strong.
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Shakuntla And Peter Charitra
All the best to you Oscar. Hope you recover very soon. May God bless you.
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Right behind you Oscar. Stay strong buddy.
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Michael Rogers
Bless you Oscar - you are a battler. We are praying for your miraculous recovery [Isaiah 53:5]
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Adam Mcbean
$100
Anonymous
Good luck Oscar, we wish you all the very best.
$500
Roger Boghani
God bless you Oscar. Live long. Please don't hesitate if need more.
$50
Phil Morris
Good luck Oscar
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Darlington Mathuthu
Wish you all the best.
$15
Anonymous
God bless Oscar and the family
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Anonymous
Can't wait to see your 21st birthday pics Oscar.
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Sandy Pethiyagoda
Get well soon, thinking of you in our prayers
$15
Anonymous
Good Luck Oscar
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Anonymous
Hope you get well soon, Oscar !
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Oscar the God of heaven will heal you completely. Just trust in him.
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Brenda Kendall
Much love to you all. We will be praying for you xx
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Rare Cancers Australia
Keep Fighting Little One.
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Sarah Howard
$10
Anonymous
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Will Hopkins
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Ace Filters International
From David at Acefilters
$50
Ruth Harper
$20
Carmel Sementilli
Wishing you all the very best Oscar and keeping you in our prayers from the Sementilli family
$50
Maree O'shea
Wishing you all the very best Oscar - hang in there buddy! From the O'Shea family
$50
Rincy Bijin
God bless you sweetheart!!!
$1,000
Jenny Lam
Wishing you a very speedy recovery Oscar, from Jenny and Peter Lam
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Dawn Cohalan
Hope all goes well and good luck with all your treatments.
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Anonymous With Love
Good luck I hope you are fit and healthy very soon!! May god bless u sweetie x
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Angelo Russo
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Anonymous
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Pat Polimeni
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Damian Clarke-bruce
Good luck guys. I wish you all the best.
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Vivienne Higgins
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Dan Chamberlain
Stay strong team, you will get there.
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Anonymous
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Ben Street
Sending you strength, good health and love. From Ben and Anne-Marie Street
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Anonymous
Praying for a miracle little Oscar x
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Lee Khor
Get well soon ❤️
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David Falzon
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Bronny Pearce
Keep fighting for you beautiful boy. You got this Oscar. Praying you get the vaccine. Xx
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Bronny Pearce
Keep fighting for your beautiful boy. You got this Oscar. Praying you get enough funds for the vac.
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Louise Agius
All the best guys!
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Imre Nagy
Pray that Jesus heal you for the glory to the father, Oscar you are healed in the name of Jesus.
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Anonymous
Get well soon little buddy
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Michelle Iacovino-coban
Good luck Oscar! We are cheering for you!
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Anonymous
💙💙💙💙
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Lilly Kimpton Lilly Kimpton
Sending you so much love little man. My heart is with you and your family, Oscar x
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Maya Kimpton
Good luck Oscar! You got this!
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Anonymous
$10
Kyra Aalberts
I'm sorry It's just a small donation. I hope it helps F@$k Cancer and I really hope you get to US
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Fernando Valente
To go with other donation,for my late sister,wife,parents,also my gran children don’t see, N family
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Debra Turner
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George Paraskeva
My prayers will be with you little Oscar
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Robert Marsh
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Debbie Brown
Stay strong Oscar & family! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Deb & Theo xx
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Romina La Cagnina
We really hope you’ll get the treatment you need until you are healed xx
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Gp Kaur
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Zoe Murphy
Best wishes beautiful boy
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Shaun Kimpton
All the best Oscar, hope you find the best care you deserve.
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Raymond Len Clausen
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Lorraine Hicks
Bless you little man Can’t wait to see your first pics of when you get to start school 💕
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Anonymous
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Nicolas Korfias
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Anonymous
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C Walsh
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Anonymous
Good luck with everything our best wishes. Janet and Gary farrington
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Nigel Dcunha
All the best Oscar
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Brianne Jenkin
You little champion!! Keep shining bright little one. You got this!
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Anonymous
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Gail O'malley
$20
Bridon Plastering
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Anonymous
All the best Oscar
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Anonymous
Love you little man, God bless you
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Anonymous
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Cathy Piipponen
$10
Susan Broad
Best of luck buddy 🙏
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Anonymous
I wish you all the very best Oscar. May you have a long and happy life.
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Jared Gresle
$10
Jasmine Bova
All the best Oscar
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David Kay
$20
Catherine Shryock
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Leonard Walker
Good luck young man
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Sonia Bamundo
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Anonymous
Go well little man
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Rochelle Kulir
We hope we can raise the money for you.
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Anonymous
Good Luck Oscar
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Anonymous
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Tamara Hogg
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Anonymous
Hang in there champion
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Miranda Tanner
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Lauren Mallen
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Wilson Tolliday
Hi Oscar, my name is Wilson & I am 11yrs old. You are brave & I know you will get through this :)
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Lisa Gatto
Take care little nan. Money should never be a barrier to saving lives.
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Hilary Hornby
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Ian Allen
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Phillipa Graham
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Margaret Reynolds
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Jacqui Calvert
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Mila Cox
Hi Oscar Dixon and your lovely family. Wish you all the best and my support for your treatment.
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Laura Pitt
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Jayde Anderson
Best of luck buddy! You're a little champ, keep smiling and stay strong, ❤ to you and your Family x
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Anonymous
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Joanne Cohen
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Bill Daniel
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Anonymous
We wish you all the best on your journey x
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Les Feiglin
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Fernando Valente
I’m not allowed to see my little grandson,hope this will help you little marvel survive
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Carolina Lemay
Wishing you all the best & I hope you make it to NY.
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Diane & Mick Spiteri
Good luck Oscar,
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Ltn Jamieson
Be a champion Oscar, coping with everything you and the family are going through is a huge test. Go
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Anonymous
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Frances Twyford
Our thoughts are with you, best of luck
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Andrew Jackson
Good luck to you Oscar and your family our thoughts & best wishes.
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Anonymous
You are a very brave little boy, our prayers will be with you for a full recovery.
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Miss Tania Medici
May God bless you Oscar and give you the healing you need. In Jesus name. Amen
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Colin Broster
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Anonymous
Sending you love and blessings Oscar🤗
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Diane Bell
Take care Oscar and good luck when you start school. Love Diane and Greg
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Joyce And Robin Pearson
Thinking of you Oscar. Get well soon.
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Anonymous
Best of luck little champ 👍
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Anonymous
Sending love
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Katherine Allen
Keep on fighting Oscar, Best wishes Kat and Gary
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Joan & Antoniette Colabufalo
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Anonymous
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Fernando Valente
I’m not allowed to see my grandson,hope this will help you little marvel survive
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
lots of love to you Oscar
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Anita Rositano
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Michelle Dixon
Love you Oscar Bear to infinity and beyond. Xx
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Susan Hayes
Hope you get everything you need little one .. love hugs and any magical thing you believe in. ❤️
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Kerry Currey
Best wishes to you all!
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Anonymous
Sending all my love.
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Natalie Bellenger
Wishing you all the best Oscar! Keep fighting 💪
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Anonymous
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System Elements Pty Ltd
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Sue Coutinho
Best wishes
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Anonymous
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Monica Reay
All the very best Oscar and family you are a little HERO May God bless you .
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Anonymous
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Emily Nettle
All the good energy being sent to Oscar and the whole family.
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Pat Polimeni
Stay Brave.
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Anonymous
Good luck Oscar we wish you well and are thinking of you and your family.
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Miriam Hill
Oscar we hope you get better mate. Give it everything
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Anonymous
Good luck Oscar Sent with lots of love ❤️
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Andrea Stott
Wishing you all the best Oscar.
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Cartel Consulting Group P/l
good luck get well Oscar
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Michelle Menzel
Prayers are with you xxx
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Anonymous
Big hug to this strong boy!
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Paul & Venessa Prideaux
Stay strong brave little man, you will get better, and a wonderful life awaits you, God bless you,
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Anonymous
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Katerina Petrakis
You will get well! Good luck Oscar!!!
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Ben Maher
Best of luck to Oscar and family... you deserve so much more than what I can offer - best wishes
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Gareth And Bec Saunders
All the best Oscar ❤️
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Natalie Sidiropoulos
Hope you get better Oscar 🙏
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Anonymous
Good luck Oscar
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Anonymous
Speedy recovery
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Oscar Dixson
Go Oscar!!!and Family wishing you a happy and healthy Life with lots of fun
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Meklite Assefa Tafesse
$250
Lesley Hawkins
In our prayers.
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David Kinnane
Hey Oscar you can beat this little buddy kick cancers ass!
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Alf Italiano
God bless you and help you always
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Stay strong Oscar help is on the way.
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Silvia Young
All the best little Champ!
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Jules Peterson
Good luck Oscar, I wish you every success in your future treatments.
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Anonymous
Sending love to Oscar and his family
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Chris Carson
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Anonymous
You’re such a brave little boy Oscar, keep your spirits up and good luck for the treatment.
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Nilkeshchandra Bipinchandra Brahmbhatt
God bless him
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Maxine Jorgensen
All the very very best sweet boy. You keep fighting ❤️
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Stuart Arnold-levy
Good luck to you and your family, keep on fighting
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John Meago
Best wishes for your trip to America, you are an amazing little boy.
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Margareta Videll
You Arn
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Ocsar Dixon
Go Oscar Dixon have a happy and healthy life with your family
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Mary Madden
All the best Oscar
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Tim & Mel Robertson
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Jenny Bennett
Good luck little man - you've got this :)
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Anonymous
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Leanne Walsh
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Steve Wood (impact)
Good luck Oscar. You show them my little mate 💪
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Anonymous
Keep on doing amazing things buddy!!
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Tharindu Jayasinghe
Get well soon Oscar
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Russell Dooley
We helped send Violet Uhi to the U.S. for treatment and now she is well. Good luck little Oscar !!
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Gary Venables
Stay strong Oscar
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Joshua Warman
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Get well soon
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Neil Ralphs
All the best, just saw about it on the news Brave little boy :)
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Michelle Dean
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Bianca Assimakopoulos
All the very best little Oscar! Much love to you and your family!
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Anonymous
Oscar, All the best, god bless you
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Good Luck with your treatment
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Winnie Chung
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Brooke Tobias
From one warrior Mum to another 💕 all the very best x stay strong
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Vu Tran
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Diana Krsteska
I hope you get enough money to start your treatments and i wish you all the best xx
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Craig Johns
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Jane Bloomer
Good luck, Oscar. We hope everyone donates to keep you all together.
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Kylie Wilson
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Rick Stephenson
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Anonymous
To dear little Oscar, Lots of love and prayers sent to you and your family.
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Anonymous
Best of luck!
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Dana Absolon
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
🤩You’re such a brave little boy Oscar. Stay strong.
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Anonymous
For a beautiful little boy and your wonderful family. Xxx
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Anonymous
May you beat this cancer Oscar. You are all in our thoughts and prayers
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Ian Patterson
Not much but we hope this will help get you your help Oscar. Keep fighting the good fight mate
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Jessica White
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Anonymous
Good luck Oscar sent with lots of love 🤠🥰🥰💕
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Grace Cascianelli
GOODLUCK OSCAR!! keep your head up buddy we’re all behind you ❤️❤️
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Anonymous
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Corinne Dornbrach
Good luck Oscar
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Anonymous
You’re amazing parents, we wish you all the very best of luck x
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Pete Ikin
To a brave li'l Oscar... you get well real soon young man! You can do it!!!
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Linda Sobalbarro
Good luck little man! Much love to you and your family :)
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Anonymous
Oscar stars will continue to twinkle for you & humanity. Humanity is about paying it forward
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Dianne Cascianelli
Get well Oscar!!
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Napco Property Group
Good luck Oscar ♥️
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Anonymous
All the best Oscar
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Rachel Stenning
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Brad Thomas
Your a brave little man Oscar. Hoping you guys get the target you need 😊
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Tiziana Pizzo
❤❤❤❤❤
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Anonymous
Good luck little fella
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Anonymous
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Alexia Fittipaldi
$100
Peter Martin
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Anonymous
From me and Mrs dufresne all the best
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Tim Beattie
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Wafa Rabbani Soham
Keep fighting ❤️ Oscar
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Anonymous
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Anna De Filippis
Sending you lots of love and best wishes Oscar ❤️❤️❤️
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Debbie Swift
$2
Anonymous
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Ridz Nalawatte
Stay strong kiddo 💪
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Keep fighting kiddo, we’re all behind you.
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Wesley Lawton
$200
Ds Welsh Pty Ltd
$250
Richard And Kate Vines
With our very best wishes. Stay strong.
$200
Nana Dixon
You go Kiddo!
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Shaun Breen
Good luck little Mate, Breen Family at Chepstowe.
$20
Carol Wilson
$100
Liz Mcalister
Stay strong buddy! Wishing you a speedy recovery!
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Kay Jones
Praying for all of you 🙏🏼
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Damien Linck
Keep fighting Oscar.. All the best little man 🤙🏻
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Dilini Wijenaike
❤️
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Anonymous
❤️
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Margaret Michael
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Stacey F
Best of luck to you all through this difficult time xx
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Renee Bagdadi
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Chris De Marchi
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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David Gallo
$100
Georgia Mahoney
$250
Theo Sariklis
$10
Anonymous
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Anonymous
You’ve got this. We’ve got your back.
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Anonymous
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Jessica Iannelli
$30
Renee Johnson
$100
John Reid
$20
Anonymous
Good luck Oscar I saw you on the news - heartbreaking.
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Da Heard Buses
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Lauren E
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Briagolong Post Office
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Claudia Purvis
Love you Oscar
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Sam Mclarty
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Neal Evans
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Tanya Badger
Good luck. You are a brave little boy. Get better soon. ❤
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Anonymous
All our love and luck to your beautiful inspirational family, may you all have the brightest future
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Luke Camen
All the best Little Man. Keep fighting
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Good luck
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Kelly Meates
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Oscar Lunny
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Anonymous
Best wishes beautiful boy
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Danielle Nohra
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Katrina Mcgrath
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