Culbokie family's joy as leukaemia boy gets home for Christmas
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THE family of a schoolboy battling leukaemia are looking forward to spending Christmas at home in Culbokie.
Daniel Gallacher (8) was diagnosed with the illness two years ago and spends a lot of his time being treated at hospitals in Glasgow and Inverness.
However, he was able to spend Christmas with his mum Alison, dad Kevin and brother Conor (6) last year and is set to do so again in what is a precious time for the family.
“It’s so nice to get some semblance of normality with a family Christmas,” Mrs Gallacher said. “We’ll be going home and locking the doors!
“Last year was very special because we spent the day in the house, having not been able to do it the year before.
“The circumstances are very distressing and really make you appreciate everything you have a lot more. You just can’t put a price on how much it means to us.”
Daniel, a pupil at Culbokie Primary, will continue receiving treatment until March 2020 – by which time he will be almost 10 years old.
“He’s eight now but he has an 80-year-old head on his shoulders,” his mum said. “Sadly he has missed a huge chunk of his childhood and has had to grow up very fast. He understands a lot of what’s going on.
“All he can really remember is being on chemotherapy because he started when he was six but he won’t finish until he’s nearly 10.
“But his approach is ‘this is what I have to do and I just do it.’ He keeps a smile on his face all the time.”
During the early stages of Daniel’s illness, his family stayed in accommodation in Glasgow provided by Clic Sargent and Calum’s Cabin. Over the last two years they have raised more than £32,000 to help other families in a similar position.
To donate to the family’s fundraising drive, visit justgiving.com/danielgallacher.
