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BALCAR-SMITH Arthur
Arthur Julius BALCAR-SMITH (14 July 2002 - 26 June 2009) "Arthur is not dead, he is only sleeping, and will return in [our] darkest hour". Arthur BALCAR SMITH, the second of five children, who was six years old, passed away at home in the care of his father Stuart SMITH and mother Evonne BALCAR, after a five year battle with Progressive (Fusion Negative) Rhabdomyosarcoma at the Children's Hospital at Westmead (Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children) in Sydney, Australia.
CANCER RESEARCH Arthur's "Quest for the Holy Grail" (Cure for Cancer), continues as his tumours have been banked under COG-D9902 - Soft Tissue Sarcoma Diagnosis, Biology & Banking Protocol at RAHC - Westmead and his Peripheral Blood Stem Cells (PBSC) have been banked at RAHC - Westmead. PASSING Arthur slipped into unconsciousness at approximately 10.30 am, on Friday 26 June 2009, in his car seat, at Leura / Wentworth Falls. Arthur passed away at 3.45 pm on Friday 26 June 2009, in his bed, at Woodford . PALLIATIVE CARE Arthur commenced Carer / Parent Administered Morphine at home, on Tuesday 23 June 2009. TREATMENT 6 Arthur's Emergency CT Scan in June 2009, identified two large metastatic tumours in his brain. Arthur completed five weeks of treatment utilising Sirolimus (Rapamune) and Cyclophosphamide (Cycloblastin) by Dr Geoff McCowage and completed Palliative Radiotherapy (ie; 12 Gy / 3 Days) by Dr Verity Ahern. TREATMENT 5 Arthur's routine PET/CT Scan in early March 2009, identified three or four metastatic tumours in his lungs / chest. Further, a follow up CT Scan in late March 2009, identified five or six tumours in his lungs / chest. Finally, a PET/CT Scan in April 2009 and CT Scan in May 2009, indicated a significant increase in the upper right post mediastinum tumour and additional tumours in the lungs / chest cavity. Arthur completed four weeks of treatment under ADVL0821 Phase II Study of IMC-A12 (Anti-IGF-I Receptor Monoclonal Antibodies) in Children with Relapsed/Refractory Solid Tumours, under Dr Geoff McCowage. TREATMENT 4 Arthur's routine PET/CT Scan in December 2008, indicated / identified another tumour in the upper right chest. Arthur completed three and a half cycles of Chemotherapy (ie; Vinorelbine and Low-Dose Cyclophosphamide) in March 2009, under Dr Geoff McCowage, following Targeted Radiotherapy (ie; 15 Gy / 5 Days) in January 2009, by Dr Verity Ahern, following surgical debulking of one upper right post mediastinum tumour, in December 2008, by Dr John Harvey. TREATMENT 3 Arthur ceased Parent / Carer administered Infusion / Oral Chemotherapy @ Home (ie; Irinotecan Hydrochloride and Temolozolomide) in December 2008, under Dr Geoff McCowage. Arthur achieved remission in December 2007 after successfully completing Targeted Radiotherapy (ie; 3 Beam - 45 Gy / 25 Days to the site of the Tumour) and General Radiotherapy (ie; 12 Gy / 10 Days to the Lungs) in December 2007 by Dr Verity Ahern, following the surgical removal of one right post mediastinum tumour (ie; 30 mm - Right Chest) in November 2007 by Dr John Harvey. TREATMENT 2 Arthur achieved remission in July 2006 after successfully completing treatment under COG-ARST0121 - Pilot Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Tirapazamine combined with Multi-Agent Chemotherapy for First Relapse or Progressive Rhabdomyosarcoma using Tirapazamine, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Ifosfamide and Etoposide, in June 2006, under Dr Geoff McCowage, following the surgical removal of one progressive tumour in his right lung in October 2005 by Dr John Harvey. TREATMENT 1 Arthur achieved remission in March 2005 after successfully completing treatment under COG-D9803 - Phase III Randomized Study of Vincristine, Dactinomycin and Cyclophosphamide (VAC) Alternating with Vincristine, Topotecan and Cyclophosphamide in Patients with Intermediate-Risk, Previously Untreated Rhabdomyosarcoma in March 2005, under Dr Geoff McCowage, following surgical removal of two tumours in his right buttock and upper leg in August 2004 by Dr Paul Stalley and Radiotherapy (ie; 41.4 Gy / 23 Days to the Tumours) in September / October 2004 by Dr Verity Ahern. DIAGNOSIS Arthur's two tumours were diagnosed in April 2004, by Dr Geoff Mc Cowage, at RAHC - Westmead. DISCOVERY Arthur's lump in his right buttock and upper leg, were detected in April 2004, at Home / Nepean Hospital - Penrith. BIRTH Arthur was born on 14 July 2002, at Nepean Hospital - Penrith. WISH Arthur in November 2006, was granted his wish to travel on the ("indi-cific") Indian Pacific Train by the Make A Wish Foundation of Australia and spent three days and nights crossing Australia from Sydney to Perth in a Gold Kangaroo cabin. Whilst in Western Australia, Arthur visited Rottnest Island, Perth Zoo and various beaches prior to flying home. Arthur got to sit in the Driver's seat of the Indian Pacific Locomotive at Cook on the Nullarbor Plain and drive the tourist train on Rottnest Island. THANKS Arthur received accommodation, assistance and or participated in special events provided by the following organisations; Ronald McDonald House (Westmead), Cancer Council of NSW (Casurina Lodge) & (Relay for Life), Ronald McDonald Beach House (Fiona Lodge) & (Forster), Cure Our Kids, Camp Quality, Starlight Foundation, Keune Foundation, Variety Club, Redkite, Oncology Children's Foundation (Sydney Swan's AFL - Goal for Goal), Lithgow & District Cancer Support Group Inc and NSW Police - Public Order and Riot Squad, NSW Police V.I.P. (RAHC - Westmead), NSW Fire Brigades Community Fire Unit, NSWFB 359 - Lawson, 60 Minutes Australia, Sea World Australia + "RB" (Dolphin), Movie World, Dream World, Luna Park, Sydney Tower - Staff and Jet Star - Pilots and Staff. Arthur appreciated and acknowledged the assistance provided by the teachers, carers and staff of both Faulconbridge Public School and Hospital School - Westmead. Further, Arthur appreciated and acknowledged the activities provided by the leaders of the 1st Hazelbrook Scout Group (Joey / Cub Scout's). Finally, Arthur appreciated and acknowledged the care and comfort provided by; Dr Geoff McCowage, Dr Paul Stalley, Dr John Harvey, Dr Verity Ahern, Dr Margaret Fulton, Oncology Clinic Nurses and Staff, Hunter Bailey Ward, Camperdown Ward, Surgical Ward, Clancy Ward, Variety Ward, CT Ward, Middleton Ward, Turner Ward and PICU. X-Ray / CT / MRI Unit, Blood Bank, Nuclear Medicine / PET - Westmead, Radiation Oncology - Westmead, Social Work, Pharmacy and Appliance Centre. Hospital Staff, Volunteers and Clergy. Email:
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