Monday, April 13, 2015

Brave Harley Renshawe, Who Wore A "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Mask To Face Gruelling Radiotherapy, Told He Is Now Cancer Free!!

The Manchester Evening News and is reporting the fantastic news that Harley Renshaw, a young boy who created a special "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" mask to help him face up to gruelling treatment as he battled cancer has been given the all clear by doctors at the end of his treatment!!

Harley, aged five, has been fighting cancer in his kidney, neck, lungs and bones, but his Ninja Turtle mask helped him feel stronger while he was having radiotherapy.

Hospital staff were amazed when the youngster, from Stretford, asked if he could decorate the protective mask that holds him still while having his treatment.

The story of his bravery made headlines around the world after it appeared in the Manchester Evening News in December 2014 and staff at Nickelodeon helped make sure Harley had a Turtley Awesome Christmas by arranging for two actors from the networks hit CG-animated "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series to phone him at his home direct from Los Angeles, and send Harley a box full of "Ninja Turtle" Christmas presents!


Harley Renshaw aged 5 of Langham court Stretford pictured with his ninja turtles sent to him by Nickelodeon

Now medics have told Harley's parents Oliver, 25, and Stacey, 23, that he is free of cancer. He will undergo regular check-ups over the coming years to make sure he stays free of the disease.

Oliver said: "We're chuffed to bits. Harley is doing great. It was just over a year ago that he was diagnosed and he has been through it.

"He's been running about every where and we're hoping that he will soon be back at school full time."

Stacey and Oliver were given Harley's devastating diagnosis after taking him to see a doctor with a pain in his tummy.


He was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare and aggressive childhood cancer - and is now taking part in a Cancer Research UK funded clinical trial at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

Harley has had 80 days of intensive chemotherapy and an operation to remove his kidney tumour.

A month later, he was back at hospital for a stem cell transplant - but fought back from complications to return home for his fifth birthday.

Harley also had weeks of radiotherapy at The Christie and faced months of further treatment.

He was awarded one of Cancer Research UK's Little Star Awards and has also become the face of the charity's Kids and Teens Campaign, which aims to raise funds for research into child cancers.

Oliver said: "We're just really excited and looking forward to the future."

You can view a selection of photographs of Harley Renshaw and watch a video interview with Harley's parents here on the Manchester Evening News website.