A toddler from Uxbridge has lost his battle with a rare ‘brain-shrinking’ illness affecting only six children worldwide.
Oliver Joyce died on Thursday (April 23), surrounded by his family, after entering Hillingdon Hospital with pneumonia last month.
The three-year-old was born with OPCA, a life-limiting illness that usually affects adults.
At eight-months-old, he became the only child in England to be diagnosed with the degenerative disorder, which has no known cure.
His aunt, Amy Joyce, posted on Facebook on Friday (April 24): “Last night, Oliver peacefully took his last breath in his sleep and we were all by his side.
“He was a true fighter 'till the end and has touched so many hearts! We all love you so much Boo Boo and know you’re in a better place now.”
Oliver was born premature at 26 weeks, with OPCA, which causes the degeneration of neurons in specific areas of the brain.
Miss Joyce set up a funding page to raise awareness of the condition, as well as to help Oliver’s parents, George Joyce and Amie Finch, who have been unable to work while acting as his full-time carers.
Well-wishers have donated more than £4,500 since the page was launched a month ago.
The family plan to use the money to help pay for Oliver’s funeral – details of which have yet to be finalised – before donating any that is left over to Hillingdon Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Miss Joyce wrote on Facebook: “Everybody....Thank you so much for your lovely words of support, which mean so much to Oliver’s mum, dad and siblings.
“Because of Oliver’s illness his mum and dad had to care for him full-time. This meant living on benefits.
“Please find it in your hearts to continue donating to Oliver’s fund, so that we can give our brave little boy the send-off he deserves.
“Thank you so much for your donations.”
Click here for Oliver's funding page and here for his Facebook page.
