Boy With Brain Cancer Whose Parents Opposed Medical Treatment Loses His Battle

The six-year-old boy who was diagnosed with brain cancer, but was not medically treated after his parents refused to give him radiation therapy, has passed away in his mum’s arms.

Oshin Kiszko, from Perth, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma last December, and made headlines earlier this year after his parents, Angela Kiszko and Adrian Strachan, opposed doctor’s wishes to give him radiation therapy.

His parents explained that they did not want their son to suffer the side effects of invasive cancer treatments, and instead, they wanted palliative care to give the family quality time together.

In September, a judge ruled that Oshin should move to palliative care and not be forced to undergo radiotherapy, after a court order in March had forced him to receive chemotherapy.

In April, this year Ms Kiszko spoke to 60 Minutes and revealed her anguish about her son being forced to undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

She revealed that doctors told her the cancer had spread after an initial surgery to remove the tumour. She also explained why she didn’t agree with plans to begin further treatment.

“I don’t understand it (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and I’ve said it to the oncologist “” I would be for it but I can’t understand it,” she said. “(Using) two carcenogenics just doesn’t make sense to me,” she added.

Australian Medical Association president Professor Brian Owler said at the time that Oshin may not survive without the treatment, but would have a 60 – 80 percent survival rate if he was to receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

However, Ms Kiszko said that giving her son those treatments had too many side effects. She said that there are alternative treatments available in Asia as a better option for her son, despite them having no scientific backing.

On Wednesday morning, Oshin passed away in his mum’s arms.

His mother released a statement to 7 News in Perth saying:

“My love Oshin took his last breaths peacefully as I lay cuddling him at 2am this morning.

“Oshin’s journey has been extraordinarily traumatising for him and I am grateful he no longer needs to suffer through this nightmare.”

In the Oceans of Hope Facebook page, a heart-wrenching post was also written later that evening.

“Dear, sweet Oshin has crossed over the rainbow bridge,” the post reads.

Oshin’s death comes after Ms Kiszko posted an emotional farewell online last Wednesday, along with pictures of a sleeping Oshin and herself, kissing her little boy on the forehead. She wrote:

“I have no words to describe this process of letting go of this beautiful boy.

“Oshin has loved me so much, taught me honour, showed me fun, placed his trust in me, showed me very clearly children have voices and deserve respect and so so much more.”

Sources: Kidspot.com.au, News.com.au, Abc.net.au and Dailymail.co.uk