Highland dad asks for cash for birthday as son Riley remains in hospital
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The dad of a young boy who is in hospital with cancer for a second time, has asked for donations rather than birthday presents for his celebrations this year.
Kevin Maclennan, whose seven-year-old son Riley is battling a second serious cancer, wants to raise money to help support the staff who have been looking after young patients on the children's ward.
So ahead of his birthday on November 7, Mr Maclennan has asked for donations to his cause.
School pupil Riley, from Ness Castle, who has now had two rare cancer battles to face in his life, is waiting for the results of a course of treatment for a cord stem cell marrow transplant - and has spent the majority of the last five months in a Glasgow hospital.
Kevin, who owns North Coast Cars, and Riley's mum Moira had hoped to both be in hospital with their son, but due to Covid and the need for isolation, dad has remained in hospital with his son for pre-conditioning treatment.
He said: "Pre-conditioning is where medics kill the bone marrow and then do the stem cell transplant that will hopefully graft and become part of Riley changing his DNA and his blood type.
"Moira and I had agreed with our medical team to do up to seven days each in isolation with Riley but unfortunately on day two the hospital changed the rules due to Covid.
"So, myself and Riley have to stay in for the duration until he builds a new immune system. We are now on day 36 in isolation and Riley is doing good – it's just a waiting game now but hopefully we are back on the ward soon and move onto the next stage."
Originally battling acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, doctors believe Riley has myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) which becomes acute myeloid leukaemia in children.
Kevin said: "Even though it is rare for a child to get MDS after treatment, our team have found three children on record that this has happened to, two in the UK and one in America but they can't find anyone who has presented themselves in the way that Riley's cancer has.’
Riley is being treated for his condition by specialists in the city, as well as collaborating with clinics around the world on finding for him the correct treatment. But as only a handful of people across the globe have the condition, and even fewer as a second cancer – the medical staff have been pulling in expertise from across the world.
He said: "Every little helps and goes towards making life a little easier for the children in the hospital, especially with Christmas approaching.’
"For my birthday this year, I'm asking for donations to Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity," he continued.
"I've chosen this charity because its mission means a lot to me, and I hope that you'll consider contributing as a way of celebrating with me.
" Every little bit will help me reach my goal.
"Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity's vision is to ensure that all of the babies, children and young people treated in hospital in Glasgow and the west receive the best possible care and experience."
Mr Maclennan has already raised £800, and hopes to raise £1000 to give to the charity.
To donate visit, https://www.facebook.com/donate/838865943453008/10224954892926959/.
Mr Maclennan is also encouraging the UK Government to increase dedicated funding into research surrounding childhood cancer.
He said: "Childhood cancer isn't rare, the number's are now 10 children per day that are diagnosed in the UK.
"Don't wait until it comes to a child you know please sign and share the petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/597620."
The petition has already gained 15,000 signatures.
