Heartbreak as parents celebrate Christmas early for son, 11, with rare cancer
THE family of an 11-year-old boy diagnosed with a rare cancer are celebrating Christmas early to make sure he doesn’t miss out.
Oliver Brown’s heartbroken parents have already strung up festive lights and are playing carols at their Plymouth home after fears the little boy won’t live to see December 25.
The little boy is believed to be the only boy in Britain with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, which affects just four children per million worldwide.
He developed the disease when he was just eight-years-old.
While it is most common in adults from 70-years-old, he was diagnosed due to complicated genetic disorder relating to his GATA2 gene.
Despite bravely fighting the cancer – including two bone marrow transplants and two rounds of treatment – Oliver’s family has now been told there is nothing more doctors can do.
And as his condition has worsened, dad Mike and mum Nicky are determined to create as many special moments in Oliver’s life as possible.
Mike, 39, told Plymouth News: “We have the lights up, the tree is up inside, we have the Lego winter village all made.
” The Christmas movies are on, the Christmas songs are playing.
“I’m sure there’s been a few people driving past thinking “but it’s October”. It is – but we’re having Christmas now.”
He said the only thing missing was a Christmas tree, which didn’t go on sale until November 17.
Mike said it’s accepted that it is unlikely Oliver will see Christmas which is, like for most children, his favourite time of year.
He added: “We decided to bring it forward for him and Benjamin, to enjoy together. In our minds he made it to Christmas 2019.
“He loves Christmas, so it’s the right thing for us all.”
Oliver’s genetic disorder also means that he was born deaf.
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Earlier this year Oliver fulfilled a dying wish of being a police officer for a day when kind-hearted cops pulled out all the stops to make it happen.
Oliver and his eight-year-old brother Benjamin, together with his mum and dad, were invited for a special VIP day at the force’s headquarters in Middlemoor, Exeter.
He took part in a range of training experiences and many officers came in on their rest days to ensure Oliver’s wish became reality.