Adam

Adam’s story  

In July 2009 Adam was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma (stage four MYCN amplified). In addition to the primary tumour in his abdomen, the disease had spread to his bone marrow, his lymphatic system, and other distant areas of his body. Like the vast majority of neuroblastoma patients, Adam had an advanced form of the disease before it was discovered. 

Adam was cared for by one of the country’s leading paediatric cancer care units since he was diagnosed. He had surgery to remove a gland in his neck, an intravenous line fitted directly into his heart for drug administration, underwent eight months of intensive chemotherapy, endured dozens of invasive testing procedures and needed numerous blood and platelet transfusions. He also had to take a daily cocktail of other drugs to counter the side-effects of the chemotherapy and to try and keep his body functioning normally. 

Adam’s treatment was harsh and unrelenting, as the cancer is so aggressive. Children who achieve clean bone marrow and MIBG tests results after initial rounds of chemotherapy must undergo a stem cell harvest, surgery to remove any solid tumours, high-dose chemotherapy to wipe out their bone marrow and stem cell rescue to transplant the previously harvested stem cells back into the body to allow new bone marrow to be grown. Finally, he had radiotherapy and then six months of oral chemotherapy and antibody therapy to mop up any undetectable residual disease. 

Sadly, Adam’s cancer did not respond well enough to treatment. His bone marrow remained infected, and scans still showed disease spread throughout his body. Without being clear of detectable disease Adam could not move forward to the other stages of treatment. 

Adam lost his courageous battle against neuroblastoma on Thursday 11th July 2013. 

Adam's parents, family and friends continue to support the work of Solving Kids' Cancer UK in many ways and Adam's dad, Nick Bird is Chair of Solving Kids' Cancer UK Trustee Board. Nick was named Charity Chair of the year at the 2022 Third Sector Awards. Nick works tirelessly as a Research Advocate, contributing to international research groups and academic papers, all with a focus on improving treatment options for children facing neuroblastoma. 

_{Donations made in loving memory of children} 

_{Funds raised in loving memory of Adam will be used to support other children like Adam and their families through Solving Kids' Cancer UK's activities. Any funds raised through a previous fundraising campaign for access to treatment which were not spent on the child's treatment and pastoral needs are used to support other children and families through Solving Kids' Cancer UK's activities.}