First published on Saturday 10 March 2001:
Father's quest to aid families hit by cancer by Victoria Owen
A father whose son died of a brain tumour is urging people to help other families battling against the disease. Despite having surgery and radiotherapy, Jack Miall, seven, lost his eight-month struggle against cancer. Now his father Richard is helping an Oxford-based charity O.S.C.A.R. - Offering Support to Children And Relatives - reach children nationwide. Established six years ago, O.S.C.A.R. offers advice to families of children with spinal and brain tumours, who are treated at the regional neurosurgical centre, at the Radcliffe Infirmary.
Mr Miall, 41, of Byfield, near Banbury, said: "It's a hell of a shock when your child is diagnosed and it's very traumatic for a child to go through an operation and then even more treatment. "We can't just walk away from O.S.C.A.R. or the wards, because it was so much a part of our lives. People aren't prepared to take in the facts when their child is diagnosed. They can get in touch with O.S.C.A.R. for help and advice."
The charity was launched by Lesley Manning - one of four community neuro-oncology nurses in the UK. She said: "I could see there was a great gap between support at the Radcliffe Infirmary and support at home. O.S.C.A.R. offers support between families whenever they need it. We also have special days when children get entertainment and adults get to meet up." Mr Miall said: "We want to find other charities effectively doing the same thing and put them all under one O.S.C.A.R. umbrella. "We are looking for sponsors. All the money we have had so far is from families and bereaved relatives. We don't want to have to rely on them. We want other people to help."
Anyone who would like to raise money for the charity or become a long-term sponsor can call Mrs Manning on 01865 224330.
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