SEVEN-year-old ‘Mighty Magnus’ Dixon has touched the hearts of hundreds if not thousands of people in the county and surrounding area in the last 18 months.
As featured on BBC Radio Northants, Magnus was diagnosed with neuroblastoma (a rare form of cancer) just before Christmas 2017. A large tumour was found in his abdomen and tests confirmed that it had subsequently spread to his bone marrow. The following 18 months have seen more medical procedures and hospital stays than anyone should have to endure in a lifetime, never mind at the tender age of seven. Magnus has undergone seemingly endless rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as surgical procedures.
He has now finished his frontline NHS treatment, which has left Magnus unable to eat properly: for several months he needed to be fed intravenously via a tube and now has a tube in place feeding straight into his stomach. He has developed mobility problems, regularly needs a wheelchair, and has had hearing aids fitted because of the damage caused by the chemotherapy.
As high-risk neuroblastoma relapses in almost 50 per cent of affected children, his parents are pinning their hopes on a Bivalent Vaccine clinical trial at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York at a cost of £225,000.The aim of the expensive but vital treatment is to reduce the chances of his cancer coming back and it gives Magnus potentially his best chance at survival and living cancer-free.
Amazingly, local fundraising efforts have raised over £100,000 towards this target, and local businesses, families and schoolchildren have all played their part.
Partner and Chairman of Wilson Browne Solicitors, Kevin Rogers, said: “We are just one of the local businesses who have tried to raise awareness of the fundraising efforts to help Magnus.
“As a firm we do what we can to help in the community, and whilst awareness helps, we know that cash is in short supply also. This cheque from the firm is a small donation into the fund, but he needs more. I hope he gets to the USA, and he will need further support when he gets back. If anyone can help, please do. The easiest way to donate is by text, details below, or you can find his Just Giving site at www.justgiving.com/campaign/magnusdixon. Even the smallest amount can make a real difference to this little boy.”
The family were hoping to fly out in mid-July and Magnus’ mum Kate said: “My family and I are so grateful to everyone that has donated and spread the word, the support has been overwhelming. We still have a way to go to support Magnus in his fight and any amount helps. I am grateful to Kevin and Wilson Browne Solicitors for the donation but also for the help to raise awareness, and thank anyone that reads this in advance for their help. I know that we all have a lot of pressure on income, so anything they can do to help is appreciated. I can’t begin to tell you what even the smallest amount means.”
To donate by text send MAGNUS followed by any whole amount up to £20 to 70085. This will cost your donation plus your standard network charge. It won’t matter if you leave a space before the number, if you include a £ sign or whether you use upper or lower case.