BRAVE NIXON LOSES HIS CANCER FIGHT
A LITTLE Gold Coast boy who bravely battled the most aggressive form of childhood cancer for four years has tragically lost his fight.
Nixon Melville, 5, who was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2017, passed away at the Hummingbird House children’s hospice in Brisbane on Sunday, his devastated mother Tameka revealed in a heartbreaking Facebook post.
“We gained a bright star last night,” she wrote.
“Our sweet boy Nixon grew his angel wings yesterday surrounded by all his family and so much love at Hummingbird House in Brisbane.
“We want to thank all of you for supporting us and travelling on this journey for Nixon’s Hope for a Cure. He fought like a boss all the way until the very end and no stone has been left unturned.
“Our hearts are broken but we are also at peace knowing he doesn’t need to endure any further treatments or procedures.
“We miss him so very much and will always love him. We ask that you please keep talking about Nixon as he will always be a huge part of our lives.”
Nixon was just 16 months old when he was diagnosed with high-risk, stage 4 neuroblastoma MYCN amplified, a cancer most common in children under five.
It was discovered that the cancer had spread throughout his abdomen and was also on his chest, right arm and legs.
His parents, Tameka and Daniel, were told he had a 55 per cent chance of surviving the next five years.
Nixon underwent 20 months of gruelling treatment including major
abdominal surgery, two stem cell transplants, 33 blood transfusions, high dose chemotherapy, 12 rounds of radiation and seven months of immunotherapy.
He spent 289 days in hospital, being fed through a nasogastric tube.
After finally being given the allclear, Nixon relapsed in September
2019.
A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $350,000 to send him and his parents to New York last Christmas so he could participate in a neuroblastoma vaccine trial at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.
Tragically, Nixon succumbed to the disease.
The Melvilles have been inundated with messages of sympathy and support.
“So sorry for your loss … a true little fighter,” one friend posted on Tameka’s Facebook page.
“A true little fighter, what a gorgeous angel heaven has gained. Thinking of you all.”