SIX-YEAR-OLD Connor O’Sullivan’s family has been given a boost with news he could undergo a stem cell
transplant in coming weeks.
Last year Connor was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia. Connor’s 12-year-old sister Holly is severely autistic and requires intensive around-the-clock care.
For most of the past year, Connor, and his parents Michael and Carolyn, have been at the Royal Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile the family’s life has been put on hold as bills mount.
When Connor was diagnosed, Carolyn gave up working as a nurse and Michael has worked as best he can around hospital admissions and setbacks. He has now taken leave from his work without pay.
The Bendigo public has responded well to an appeal launched earlier this year in the Bendigo Weekly, with cash donations and donations in-kind flooding in to Carolyn’s sister, Kath O’Sullivan, who has been organising the appeal.
The entire family has been boosted with news a stem-cell transplant could be imminent.
“An umbilical cord blood match was found for him in Australia, and we are hopeful he will be well enough to undergo this procedure in the very near future,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
“Connor will undergo a few more weeks of chemotherapy, working up to his stem cell transplant.”
However, it won’t be plain sailing for Connor and his family during thee treatment.
“The stem cell transplant is complex and requires Connor to undergo full body irradiation to eradicate any lingering cancer cells,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
“He will then be completely isolated with his parents in a sterile environment for many weeks, during which time he will not be permitted visitors.
“This will be followed by months of isolation from the general population. We anticipate, without any major complications, they will be in Melbourne for the next three months.”
Ms O’Sullivan said the procedure could save Connor’s life and her family had high hopes for its success.
“But this will be a most intense and emotional time for them and for the whole family,” she said.
“Connor will have to endure weeks of additional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
“We know this will make him very unwell, and we know there is a possibility the treatment may leave him with permanent damage.     
“All the family really appreciate the response we have had to this appeal so far, and I would like to thank everyone on behalf of Carolyn and Michael for the overwhelming kindness and generosity shown by the community.”