OLI’S Story
TV ACTOR and former Disney Channel child star Oli Dillon is desperate for Orkambi – as he juggles performing with irreversible lung damage.
Oli, 20, was diagnosed aged three months and for his first three years was very poorly.
But as the youngster, of Sevenoaks, in Kent, has grown up he has stuck to his treatment routines.
Oli has appeared on the Disney Channel, TV comedy Plebs, Murder In Successville and Casualty.
He also does voiceovers on children’s films, audio books, cartoons and TV adverts.
He has also recently needed four different antibiotics daily. Oli said: “I’m angry hearing comments about how Vertex deserve to make profits like any other company.
“Because it’s not like any other company – they are dealing with human lives.
“It’s not a case of someone can’t get a car because it’s too expensive and so they will be a bit sad. It’s if we don’t get it we will get sicker and die.
“I am trying to keep as well as I can for as long as I can in the hope I can get access to these medicines and be able to continue living my life.”
Oli still lives at home with mum Alison, 53, dad Richard, 52, and older brother Ben, 25.
Alison said: “A year ago he caught flu and was in hospital. His lung function fell from the high 90s to just 59 per cent.
“He has managed to get it back to 90 per cent. The clock is ticking though and it’s vital he gets this drug now.”