A YOUNGSTER who is battling cancer for the second time walked out with one of his footballing heroes earlier this month as a mascot before a Premier League match.
Nine-year-old Oliver Stephenson, whose story inspired an army of Barnsley residents to raise more than £250,000 to fund innovative treatment in New York, was again diagnosed with neuroblastoma just days before Christmas having been in remission.
Oliver - who is a keen footballer - stepped on to the Etihad’s pitch with Manchester City captain Ruben Dias before his side’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City on April 2.
His mum Laura, of Stairfoot, said: “We went to Manchester where Oliver and his younger brother Alfie were both mascots.
“He’s recently played in his own team’s football game where he won the coach’s player award for his absolute determination to play, despite his body not quite being ready to.
“We have had fun and laughter every day and it has been lovely to see Oliver feeling very much back to his old self mentally.
“We look forward to the day where he feels the same physically, too.”
Oliver is set to finish his sixth round of chemotherapy before he goes on to a course of radiotherapy.
Afterwards, he is set to embark on difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) - a type of immunotherapy - having been invited to take part in a fully-funded NHS trial.
‘Our little superstar is smashing it once again - his recent scan results show nothing measurable and no new developments,” Laura added.
“We feel so lucky to be invited to join the DFMO trials as this was something that had to be fundraised for back in 2020 (when Oliver was first diagnosed).
“It’s a massive relief to know that we don’t need to self-fund treatment this time round and is a testament to recent developments in neuroblastoma treatment.
“Oliver is feeling really well - we had a fantastic first week of the Easter holidays and enjoyed the sunshine.
“He has been a bit grumpy because he’s starting his penultimate round of chemo as he knows it will make him feel rubbish all over again but he also knows the end is in sight.
“As always, we are thankful for everyone’s ongoing support - it means the world to us.”
A fundraiser - which was set up following the cancer’s return - has now surpassed the £25,000 barrier.
Lyndsey Adams, who set it up, said: “He had been in remission for just over four years.
“Oliver endured endless treatment the first time round including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, transplant, immunotherapy and then trips to New York to receive the bivalent vaccine.
“With the help and generosity of so many amazing people we raised £269,741 to get Oliver the treatment he needed in America.
“We are wanting to raise money for Oliver’s family should they need it down the line to cover hospital expenses, travel and living costs while they are off work caring for Oliver and to take money pressures away from them so they are able to focus on his needs.
“If they do not need any or all of the money that is donated they would like to gift the money raised on to another family in a similar position to them that do need the money or to the various charities that will help them along, the same way as we did last time.”
To donate, visit https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lyndsey-adams-oliverstephenson-oliversarmy?utm—term=WNqKEBRjR&fbclid=IwY2xjawHvyMlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdt3iTjwGFm6GfBFYCP4ZsCow7w-oLeIv7e5IBYZkZQCL3x39TQggzONPA—aem—zcWeqrWGeUsNMDnw9aht7g
