A man who survived cancer as a child has graduated from medical school at the University of Bristol - and now hopes to become a paediatrician so he can help others like him. Oscar Oglina was inspired into medicine by the doctors and nurses who saved his life when he was diagnosed with stage 3 liver cancer at just four years old.
And yesterday (June 13) he took the university’s promise ceremony, their version of the Hippocratic oath, officially ending his time as a medicine student. In 2001, a four-year-old Oscar woke up to find a hard lump on his abdomen.
Within 24 hours he had received a cancer diagnosis, and for more than a year he endured chemotherapy and underwent surgery. But he has now secured his first job in medicine, and he paid tribute to his parents.
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Oscar said: “It’s tough as a family to be told that your child has a serious illness. My mum was pregnant at the time with my sister, both parents working full-time, looking after me and my then three-year-old brother – I can’t imagine the hell they went though.
"Cancer doesn’t affect the patient it affects the whole family.” Oscar's earliest memories are from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, which became his second home when he was receiving treatment there.
As a child, he was removed from primary school to focus on treatment and remained in follow up care for some time. However, over time he began to recover and was able to have a normal secondary education.
He dedicated his schooling years towards becoming a doctor so he could help people like him and give back to the NHS that saved his life, becoming a straight A* student in between finding time to volunteer and raise money for charity.
He said: “As I grew up and came to terms with what happened, I had a real drive to get a place at medical school, so I could go back and help other sick children. I really respected the doctors and nurses, they were brilliant.”
In 2016, he earnt a place at Bristol Medical School, and he believes his experience will help him be a better doctor. He said: “Once you’ve faced a serious illness like cancer - you possess a level of true empathy.
"You better understand what your patients are going through. I hope it will aid my work with patients.
"It’s one thing as a clinician to gauge what your patient is going through, it’s another to have gone through it yourself.” Oscar’s first job will be in Essex, where he will be partially working in paediatrics.
“Getting the job was an amazing moment for me,” Oscar said. “I’m massively excited to become a doctor and work as a paediatrician.
“I just want sick children to know you can lead a fulfilling life beyond cancer, and you can achieve your dreams. I’ve achieved my dreams and they can too.
“If this story helps just one family, then that’s literally all I want.” Oscar also remains involved in charity work, and recently helped run a medicine student charity production which raised over £60,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer.
Oscar’s parents said: “We are so proud of Oscar. From being ill as a child himself to now helping other sick children he’s achieving his dreams in an amazing full circle moment.”
Ashley Blom, head of Bristol Medical School, said: “Today’s promise ceremony affirms a lifetime of hard work for these fledgling doctors. Oscar’s journey has been more difficult than most.
"His resilience, tenacity and steadfast resolve to help others are all traits that will make him a brilliant doctor. We wish him the very best in his next steps."
