Lucas Minchin

At one week of age, eight year old Lucas developed rash-like red dots on his face. Within two weeks these dots had become five large, bright red, raised birthmarks (Hemangiomas).
 
By the time the family flew to Wellington to meet Dr. Swee Tan for treatment, Lucas was unable to completely open one eye due to the growth of a large tumour in that area. At four weeks old he started his first course of steroids to help reduce the size of these tumours.
 
At three months old Lucas was also diagnosed with a rare optic nerve condition in one eye called ‘Morning Glory Disc’ which can cause severe visual impairment. There is currently no cure for this condition and as such Lucas has blurry vision in one eye.
 
Lucas continued to see Dr. Tan every year until he was three, and is now free of Hemangiomas.

Lucas lives in Auckland with his parents Sam and Jane, younger sister Rosalind and their fat cat, Elsa. He takes swimming lessons and likes soccer. He is good at maths and loves dinosaurs, animals and fishing.

When he grows up Lucas wants to be a snake-wrangler.

Cure Kids supports the research conducted by Professor Swee Tan and his team and we are currently conducting a capital campaign to fund the Cure Kids Chair in Plastic Surgery in perpetuity to allow Professor Tan to continue his vital research which could hold a cure for cancers. Once the capital fund has been established annual interest will be used to fund Professor Tan’s research time.