3-year-old Boy From Scotland Undergoing Special Cancer Treatment In OKC

A family has traveled more than 4,000 miles away from their home to save their son's life.

Wednesday, December 19th 2012, 6:52 pm

By: News 9


A family has traveled more than 4,000 miles away from their home to save their son's life.

This Christmas, a 3-year-old boy from Scotland is undergoing a special cancer treatment in the metro.

You'd never know Sam O'Callaghan is battling a rare form of brain cancer. He's active and full of life, like any other 3 year old, even when he goes for treatment every morning at the ProCure Proton Therapy Center here in Oklahoma City.

Before his 4th birthday, Sam already had two major surgeries and chemotherapy. In May 2011, doctors found a rare brain tumor the size of golf ball on the back of Sam's head.

"It was just utter devastation. Our lives just changed overnight," Fiona O'Callaghan said.

After an 8-hour operation in September, Sam's family started looking at other treatment options because Sam's tumor had tripled size.

"Probably the hardest thing for us is not knowing, not knowing the outcome," Eoin O'Callaghan said.

It's a journey that's taken them from their home in west Scotland 4,000 miles around the world to Oklahoma City, where Sam is undergoing treatment.

"That's the most important thing for us is Sam's treatment," Eoin says. "Obviously we'll do whatever it takes for Sam to get better."

Since Nov. 2, Sam's been coming to ProCure for proton therapy treatment.

"He's been off chemo now since August so his hair's starting to grow back. His energy levels are a lot better," Eoin says. "He's more like the Sam he was before any of this happened."

While this Christmas will be different so far away from home, the O'Callaghans are hopeful this holiday season will bring them closer to saving Sam's life.

"We all have to be together," Fiona says. "It's a major thing, so we all have to be here to support each other."

The O'Callaghans will go back to Scotland Jan. 11, when Sam completes his treatment.

He's excited about Christmas, but his big day is next week too. He'll turn 4 on Dec. 27.

Sam's parents have been keeping their boys occupied while they're here with trips to the zoo and science museum. They say they've been overwhelmed by the kindness of people here in Oklahoma City.

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