Max Kuc pictured with dad Chris, mum Lucy and sister Lyla.

Photo:  Rachel Mundy at Boo Boo Photography, Harrogate.Max Kuc pictured with dad Chris, mum Lucy and sister Lyla.

Photo:  Rachel Mundy at Boo Boo Photography, Harrogate.
Max Kuc pictured with dad Chris, mum Lucy and sister Lyla. Photo: Rachel Mundy at Boo Boo Photography, Harrogate.

Family's joy as 22-month-old Leeds boy fighting liver cancer can spend Christmas at home

The mum of a 22-month-old Leeds boy fighting liver cancer said her family is overjoyed that he will be spending Christmas at home.

Max Kuc of Roundhay has spent a total of six weeks in hospital after being diagnosed with aggressive liver cancer Hepatoblastoma in September.

He has fought for life after multiple tumours in his liver ruptured and his family has been told he must undergo a liver transplant.

Max has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Leeds Children's Hospital and is due for his last treatment before Christmas on Monday and Tuesday December 21 and 22.

His mum Lucy said Max is not due back at hospital for more chemotherapy until January 4.

Max is due to spend Christmas at home with his mum, his four-year-old sister Lyla, and dad Chris.

Lucy said: "If you had told me five weeks ago that Christmas at home with the four of us would be an option I wouldn't have believed it.

"It is just amazing. We won't be doing anything exciting, but we will all be together.

"Max is all set, he is hoping for a plethora of Peppa Pig toys so we will have to wait and see what Santa brings."

Max's name is set to be added to the waiting list for a liver transplant on January 11.

Lucy is awaiting test results to see if she would be a suitable live donor when 25 per cent of her liver would be taken and transplanted.

Max's parents praised the "brilliance of the NHS team caring for him and last month launched a fundraiser for Leeds Cares, the charity that supports Leeds hospitals.

The couple organised an online auction and raffle and their friends donated prizes.

The raffle and auction, which ended last week, raised more than £38,000.

Lucy said: "People were so generous. We would like to thank everybody who supported it."

Prizes include a private Zoom training session with body coach Joe Wicks and a golf match for two with England cricketer Jonny Bairstow and his Yorkshire County Cricket Club teammate Steven Patterson.

Other prizes include jewellery worth thousands of pounds and a trip to Disneyland Paris.

And Yorkshire County Cricket Club donated two hospitality tables for a T20 match.

The online raffle page is still open here for donations only to Leeds Cares.

Paul Watkins, director of fundraising at Leeds Cares, said: "We can’t thank Lucy and Chris enough for their amazing fundraising efforts.

"Max’s auction has been so successful and has raised a substantial amount for Leeds Cares.

"At such a difficult time for them personally, Lucy and Chris have been absolute fundraising heroes; thinking of how they can help others.

"We wish Max the very best with his treatment under the care of our wonderful NHS staff.”

Max's father Chris took him to see a GP in September after a small lump was discovered on his stomach.

The GP sent Max directly to hospital.

Max was in hospital for eight days before being discharged and had only been at home for a few hours when the tumours in his liver ruptured and he suffered internal bleeding.

Max fought for his life and underwent surgery at Leeds General Infirmary before being transferred to intensive care for around four days.

He spent four weeks on an oncology ward before being discharged.

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