The last year has been tough for many, including Max Adams. Until September 2008 Max was a healthy, happy four-year-old boy without a worry in the world…

After a family holiday he returned to school and fell ill with a suspected ear infection. Despite being prescribed standard medication, a few days later and he still wasn’t recovering so was taken back to the doctors, who informed his parents he had a chest infection. Following more medication there was no sign of improvement so he returned to the doctors who sent him to the hospital where an examination revealed he had suspected pneumonia. After four days in hospital he returned home but his breathing deteriorated so was taken back to hospital for further pneumonia treatment. A scan and biopsy revealed Max had a very large tumor in his left lung.

Max was transferred to the Piam Brown Ward at Southampton Hospital – where all Guernsey children with cancer or related illnesses are looked after – and placed in intensive care due to the continued deterioration of his breathing. His dad left his side for 5 minutes to get a cup of tea. By the time he had returned Max had machines breathing for him. Max underwent an 8-hour operation, which removed the tumor – by now as heavy as a bag of sugar! and so large it was collapsing his other organs.  After 4 worrying days Max woke up. The consultants, however, were still not sure what type of cancer he had.

“The tumor was sent to a specialist laboratory in Dublin for tests to make sure it was not Pleuropulmonary Blastoma – a very rare lung cancer with only 15 cases a year diagnosed in the world and none in UK,” said his father, Jason.

“To our horror the results confirmed Max had this rare lung cancer. It was our worst nightmare. We were then told Max would be on high doses of chemotherapy for 36 weeks and in hospital every 3 weeks for treatment, scans in between, and also in and out because of infections.”

Brave Max undergoes his final chemo treatment on 24^th August. Shortly afterwards specialists will know whether this has been successful or not.

“It has been hard watching my little tiger suffer and I would love to change places with him,” added Jason.

“He’s so strong and I’m so proud of Max. We are hoping for the best, but make the most of every day with him because this form of cancer is so rare and we are not sure what can be done if the treatment has not been successful.”

Max and his father will be joining us at the Oi Beach Ball, so those who help out will be invited to the event. We are sure they would like to thank you personally, should you be willing to support this important cause.

If you can donate any high value items for our charity auction then please email meriel@oi-you.com or call +44 (0) 1481 716606 as soon as possible.