Tranent youngster battling leukaemia in Poland

Four-year-old Oscar Szlachta, who attends St Martin’s RC Primary School nursery in Tranent, was diagnosed with leukaemia while in Poland earlier this year.

He has since endured months of chemotherapy in Poland, where he was born, and is unable to travel back to Scotland, where he has lived since May 2018, because he is too weak.

Fundraising efforts to support his mother and father, who have been forced apart by the financial burden of their son’s illness, have now been launched in East Lothian.

Oscar’s dad Slawomir Szlachta, 36, was only able to stay with his son in Poland for a few weeks before he had to return to his job in Scotland so he could earn money to support his family.

And mum Anna Zajaczkowska, 35, had to quit her job as a cleaner in Tranent to remain with Oscar in Poland.

Said dad Slawomir: “Our life collapsed on March 26 when Oscar was diagnosed. He is now undergoing chemotherapy and all of the treatment associated with it.

“My son is very strong, even though he is just four years old, and he is a fighter. I’m trying to live and be strong for Anna and will do everything to help him recover and have him home but it’s very hard sometimes.”

And he added: “I have lived in Scotland for four and a half years. I brought Anna and Oscar here so that we could live together and live a better life.

“Anna and Oscar only went to Poland for a week. The first time I went over to see Oscar in hospital I managed to stay for a month but I had to come home to work and support them.

“It is very hard to be away from him and Anna but the wages in Poland are not good and I will do everything I can to make sure he has the best treatment possible.”

Slawomir works full-time as a chef at Hotel 24 in Edinburgh.

He has also been picking up shifts behind the hotel bar and as a night porter in order to earn extra cash.

Oscar was born prematurely and had a cyst on his kidney.

He had been seeing a nephrologist in his native Poland every six months for check-ups before he moved to Scotland, where his dad was already living and working.

Oscar has been enjoying his new life in Scotland but still made regular visits to his birth country to see his Polish doctor.

It was during one of these scheduled visits, in March this year, when blood tests detected he was seriously unwell.

Oscar was later diagnosed at an oncology clinic in Katowice with lymphoblastic leukaemia type B.

He has now been in and out of hospital for seven and a half months, having chemotherapy. It is estimated he will remain in hospital for at least another two weeks.

Depending on his health, he could then be discharged but will remain on medication and will have regular appointments and check-ups throughout his rehabilitation.

Once he leaves hospital, Oscar will stay with his mother at her grandmother’s house in Poland and his parents will have to pay the full cost of his medication and transport to and from hospital.

It is hoped that once he has made a full recovery he will be able to return to Tranent.

The family, of Northfield East, Tranent, estimate that after Oscar leaves hospital they will spend £600 a month on medication, meal replacement drinks for Oscar, who has not been able to eat properly, and transportation to and from hospital.

Slawomir regrets that the costs have exceeded what he is able to provide. Therefore, he has set up a fundraising page on the website gofundme.

On the fundraising page, he wrote: “Oscar’s mum had to end her employment as she stays by Oscar’s side every day, making his battle with leukaemia less painful and more bearable when possible.

“I would like to highlight that Oscar’s treatment is covered by the [Polish] national health system only while he stays in the hospital. Once he is discharged we are obligated to cover his expenses and this has become very difficult.

“I will work day and night in order to make sure he gets what is needed, but your kind input will be extremely appreciated and will find a special place in our hearts.”

Parents of other children at St Martin’s nursery in Tranent have come together to help organise a fundraiser which will take place at St Martin’s Primary School on December 13.

Danielle Ross, of Morrison Avenue, Tranent is one of four parents hosting ‘Merry Little Christmas Fundraiser’.

There will be a disco, face painting, party games, and a visit from Santa. Tickets are £2 a child or £5 for a family of three or more.

Anyone who would like to attend should contact Danielle via Facebook or contact St Martin’s nursery.

The organisers are also keen for raffle prize donations. Danielle said: “All of the money from the event will go straight to Oscar’s parents. I would just like to ask other people to put themselves in their position.

“I can’t even imagine this happening to my four-year-old who is at nursery with Oscar.

“I think anyone in this position would want support to help their child.”

Lauren Davies, headteacher at St Martin’s RC Primary school, said: “This is a desperately sad situation for Oscar and his family. We as a school and community of St Martin’s are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.

“The nursery staff alongside parents and carers wanted to do something practical to offer support during this difficult time and have arranged a fundraiser to help Oscar and his family.”

Donations to Oscar’s family can be made via www.gofundme.com/f/help-little-oscar-to-fight-his-leukemia