Help Aviu in his fight against cancer

This page has been setup to support Aviu in his fight against cancer.

In January 2013 Aviu was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer called chordoma.

Chordoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the bones of the skull and spine. It is part of a family of cancers called sarcoma, which include cancers of the bones, cartilage, muscles and other connective tissue. Chordomas are thought to arise from remnants of the embryonic notochord, a rod-shaped, cartilage-like structure that serves as a scaffold for the formation of the spinal column. Notochord cells normally persist after birth lodged inside the spine and skull, and rarely these cells can undergo a malignant transformation that leads to the formation of a chordoma.

Chordomas are generally slow growing, but are relentless and tend to recur after treatment. Because of their proximity to critical structures such as the spinal cord, brainstem, nerves and arteries, they are difficult to treat and require highly specialized care.

Aviu had his first operation in March 2013 in the hopes of removing all of his tumour. However removing it all was impossible as it was surrounding the main artery that feeds his brain. The doctors cut out as much as they could and then Aviu was given radiation therapy to try and shrink what was unable to be removed.

The tumour continued to grow and again they operated in October 2014. Following this operation Aviu was advised that he had had the maximum amount of radiation to the brain so that was no longer an option.

Aviu’s oncologist then suggested a trial of chemo treatment which had a 70% chance of shrinking the tumour. Unfortunately Aviu fell into the 30%, and his tumour is continuing to grow, affecting his vision and sensation in his face.

Aviu is currently on steroids and pain relief to try and relieve some of the pressure the tumour is placing on his brain. He is also having vitamin C treatment.

Anyone who knows Aviu knows how generous he is, and now it’s time for him to accept some help from others. All donations received from this page will go towards further treatment and living costs for Aviu so he can spend time with his 8 year old son Joseph and not have to worry about money.