Everything's Possible

Everything's Possible

Welcome to Dylan Hartung's Web Page. It has been provided to keep friends, family and supporters of Dylan's campaign up to date with his fight for life. Dylan is an Australian boy who was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma on 26th July 2004 when he was 5 years old. Dylan's tumor started on the left adrenal gland and had wrapped itself around both his left and right renal arteries and around several major blood vessels.

Dylan received 4 rounds of intense Chemotherapy in Australia, but even though there has been some improvement in his condition, the Neuroblastoma cells still remain in his bones. Dylan was classed as refractory in December 2004, meaning he no longer responded to the regular Neuroblastoma protocols of treatment. As Dylan still has Neuroblastoma evident in several areas in his bones, the doctors in Australia would not perform surgery or harvest his stem cells to continue treatment regimes. We were told that Dylan has 2 – 12 months to live and there was little more that could be done for Dylan.

Dylan's fight for survival has led us to America, where they have many treatments that are not currently available in Australia, one in particular is called 3F8 Monoclonal antibodies Dylan had his stem cells successfully harvested on the 7th and 8th February 2005 and had his main abdominal tumor entirely removed on the 9th February 2005 by a highly skilled surgeon who is an expert in the field of Neuroblastoma, at MSKCC in New York. Without this surgery, Dylan would not be alive today, enjoying life and having the opportunity to try and beat this cancer. Dylan continues treatment to tackle the Neuroblastoma still present in his bones, including another 10 rounds (totaling 14 rounds) of Chemotherapy, Radiation, Accuntane and 2 Stem Cell Rescues. Dylan has also been treated with the following clinical trials.

Phase I Clinical Trial Protocol 05-074 (Cetuximab and Irinotecan)

Phase II Clinical Trial Protocol 04-148A (131 I-MIBG with Arsenic Trioxide)

Phase I Clinical Trial Protocol 06-072 (Hot 3F8 and Avastin)

Phase I Clinical Trial Protocol 05-015 (3F8 Antibody dose escalation - 10 times regular 3F8 dose)

Pediatric Clinical Trials offered at MSKCC can be found HERE

A Campaign was started in December 2004, by a wonderful team of dedicated people, to raise $500,000 Australian dollars, for surgery and initial treatment, and on 26th January 2005 (Australia Day!) exactly 6 months after diagnosis, we arrived in New York City!

MSKCC in New York treats more Neuroblastoma patients than anywhere else in the world.

Visit: New approaches to Neuroblastoma

Dylan's treatment in New York is completely reliant on donations. Fund raising activities are still being conducted in Australia and America in an effort to continue Dylan's treatment in America

Please visit Dylan's FUNDRAISING PAGE to help.

You can help Dylan right now by using the secure link below

Dylan is a very brave little guy with lots of spunk and plenty of cheek.

Dylan truly is a real AUSSIE BATTLER!

Dylan said "I love you mum"

I replied "I love you too"

Dylan said "I love you more"

I replied "not possible"

Dylan said "everything’s possible!"

Do any children survive Neuroblastoma? You bet they do!
Take this link to see who beat the beast NED WARRIORS