This page has been updated to raise funds for The Donna Louise Hospice and the Newlife charity that continue to support the Shah family.

Viyan will celebrate his 7th birthday on Sunday the 11th of March. He is a very content child despite all he has had to endure. Viyan asked that all birthday gifts are given to the Harvey Girls charity. Monetary contributions can be made here and these will be shared between the two charities mentioned above.

At 10 months old Viyan Shah was a healthy boy, developing well for his age and beginning to say his first words. In May 2012, at just 14 months old, Viyan was diagnosed with a rare aggressive brain tumour. Five days later he underwent a 10 hour operation where 95% of the tumour was removed. The remainder was to be treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Subsequently, the tumour paralysed Viyan's left vocal cord and he permanently lost the ability to speak and eat.

After months of gruelling treatment, Viyan went into remission. Having scans every 6 months, it was in July 2014 that his parents received the devastating news that the cancer had returned to his spine. There was no cure. Viyan started chemotherapy again but it made him so unwell that the decision was made to stop the course in order to give him more quality of life. Despite all his trials, and recent paralysis Viyan performed remarkably well at school, remained kind, gentle and caring with a good sense of humour.

In June 2017 Viyan's parents received the worst news imaginable. A third tumour has developed on his spine, below the brain stem. The prognosis was unbearable - only hours to live! Miraculously, 9 months on, Viyan is at home able to see his friends and family every day and is about to celebrate his 7th birthday.

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