Update 19-05-2008

Sorry about the 2 month delay in giving everyone an update. We have been waiting on the results of new MRI scans and gene expression tests for Callum.
It seems from the MRI that Callum's tumour is stable which is obviously great news. However the gene expresion test that has been carried out has indicated that the antineoplaston treatment in Houston will not be apropriate for Callum at the moment. Instead the Doctors there have recommended a course of 3 different anticancer drugs to attack the cancer on a genetic level. These drugs are very expensive, costing around 3000 Euros per month each. But thanks to peole like you Callum has the money needed. We are not yet sure how long this course will last.

Many thanks to you all who have continued to fundraise for Callum over the last couple of months. We have now raised around £110,000 available towards treatment so are moving ever closer to our target.

Callum is still doing well ,and as many of you know celebrated his 6th birthday last month. Please keep telling your friends about this brave boy and pass on his website address www.callumsappeal.co.uk.

Many thanks once again.

Update 25-03-2008

Hi

At the end of last month, Craig and Anna visited the United States to meet with doctors at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York and Dr Burzynski at the Burzynski clinic in Houston Texas. Dr Burzynski is currently running a number of FDA trials on a new treatment which is proving to be very successful at treating brain tumours.

Callum fits the criteria for the FDA trial protocol and can begin the treatment as soon as up-to-date MRI and PET scans have been completed here in the UK.

Three weeks on and we are still waiting for the NHS to have the scans carried out, it could take at least another 2 weeks.

Dr Ira Dunkle, the childhood brain tumour specialist at Sloan Kettering was also very positive.

However, treatment at Sloan Kettering cannot begin until we have raised the rest of the money needed. We have raised just under £100,000 to date, well over half way so thank you to all who are supporting us. We still have a way to go so please keep those raffle tickets coming in.

Dorcan Technical College are putting on a production on the 27th and 31st March with all proceeds going to Callum's Appeal. Tickets are just £2 each so please give us a call for further details and to get tickets.

We had a bit of an upset recently with Callum suffering his first fit in over 3 months but he seems to have got over it well if his appetite is anything to go by.

Again, many many thanks to you all for helping us to get this far.

Update 21-02-2008

Hi

Callum is making more sounds now. He is still eating very well and is now able to drink from a cup on his own. He still has had no fits. He is receiving 'Physio' and has been fitted with Callipers to strengthen his legs. He is receiving Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy and still has more sessions booked. These have definitely helped to improve his condition.

The Swindon Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy centre run by the MS society should be able to take children as Anna and April have completed a course for the therapy and are waiting for their CRB checks to be finalized so they can treat children. This is so Callum does not have to keep travelling all the way to Milton Keynes as he currently is.

Fund raising is going slower than we hoped. As we moved further away from Swindon , less people have heard about the appeal. All ideas are most welcome.

To make matters worse, we accidentally sent out of date tickets through January so money coming in has almost stopped, so to all those who have raised money for Callum, please collect it up. Anyone who was sent out of date tickets please get in touch so we can send replacements.

Update 10-01-2008

Once again, Callum seems to be improving. It has now been 5 weeks since he had a fit. His is still feeding himself and appearing much brighter still with an increased ability to focus. He is now able to stand, get himself out of bed and off the sofa.

Our fundraising has slowed significantly over the chrismas and new years period and so the Fund has only risen to £45,000 down by about two thirds.

We have our fingers crossed that this is just temporary.

Update 15-12-2007

Callum is looking even better. He is sitting up and holding his head up on his own. He has started feeding himself and is looking much more brighter and more aware of what is going on around him. He has begun trying to speak (just a mumble at the moment but definitely getting better) and he has not had an epileptic fit for 2 weeks now.

All-in-all things seem to be on the up.

Callum's fundraising effort has just passed the £40,000 mark.

A big thank you to all of you out there that have supported Callum.

Updated 20-11-2007

Callum is doing really well. He is looking alot better & brighter everyday. His fits are down to 1 per day from 30 per day. He is Eatiing well and only organic home prepared and cooked & natural whole foods. He is getting more motivated everyday.

The Fundrasing has started well, so our huge thanks to all Callum's supporters.