Thanksfor Slavsupport
The mother of a Laytown teen battling a rare form of cancer wants to thank her local community for their ongoing support.
Nadia Vavro has spent the last year raising funds so her 13-year-old son Slav can receive pioneering treatment for a rare soft tissue cancer, however their hopes of a trial in America have suffered a setback.
“It is exactly a year since Slav was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue sarcoma - stage IV, and even though he has responded quite well to 27 weeks of chemotherapy in Crumlin hospital, we have a long road ahead, which may require a miracle,” says Nadia, who is originally from Slovakia but has called Ireland her home since 2006.
“We saw three specialists in the United States in July, but there was mixed news from there, as they needed tumours to be actively growing to carry out a trial and that is not happening with Slav, even though there is still visible bone involvement around Slav’s body on the MRI, which means that cancer cells infiltrated into his bone and bone marrow.”
The family set up a GoFundMe page to raise €150,000 for ongoing treatment, which reached almost half way, however she points out that the visits to US doctors and special genetic tests, private tests to identify the best treatment and oxygen therapy cost almost €20,000.
“His consultant here say they don’t have any survivors from the disease and stage Slav suffers from, but I refuse to give up until every treatment or therapy has been explored,” says the brave mum.“In July 2018 we started private Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) sessions in Dublin and now Newry, which mobilises stem cells, and helps with the body’s natural healing process as well as it boosts the immune system. This treatment and cost of travelling 3-5 times a week times has to be paid by us so the funding is vital.”
Slav, whose 14th birthday is coming up in March, hasn’t been able to attend his school in Gormanston for months, and he often suffers pain from five fractured vertebrae.
“That was one of the side-effects of his cancer, so the oxygen therapy does help with the pain, and does make him feel a bit better,” explains Nadia, who is also mum to (24) and (16) yearold Vlad.
“His consultant here say the survival rate for patients like Slav is 5% in three years following diagnoses, and we may need a miracle, but these things do happen, and we will keep on trying everything we can.”
As well as the GoFundMe page, the next fundraising event is due to take place in the Village Hotel, Bettystown, on Thursday February 7th between 10am and 12pm. Organised by Duleek councillor Sharon Keogan, volunteers are being sought to help out at the Coffee Morning.“Over the years, I have always raised money for worthy causes and charities, particularly when it comesto sick children,” says Sharon.
The Village Hotel has kindly agreed to give me the teas and coffee for free, and I will get all the cakes, scones and cupcakes. But if anyone would kindly give me a raffle prize for the morning or simply a hand out with the raffle, I would really appreciate the help. I can be contacted on facebook Keogan4Meath.” Another event, a Wellness Day, will be also in the Village Hotel and it is being organized by local lady Denise McKeon Predergast and sheduled for May 5th. More information on Slav can be found on the facebook page Help for Slav (Rhabdomyosarcoma) or anyone wishing to donate can do so at: https://www.gofundme.com/help4slav
and toast for grandparents.