Cancer patient completes his GCSE exams
AN inspirational teenager suffering leukaemia has fought heroically to complete his GCSEs and attend his school leavers prom, to the delight of his friends and family.
After over a year of battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Matthew Isherwood attended his school prom at the DW Stadium in Wigan on Thursday, June 21 in ‘Steam Punk’ style.
The Widnes-born teenager was diagnosed in December 2016 aged just 14.
His mother, Maureen Isherwood, 54, said: “Following the cancer diagnosis he became very ill after contracting a serious chest infection which kept him in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for more than seven weeks.
“The effects of the infection on his health together with intense chemotherapy treatment were devastating, with Matthew losing nearly a third of his body weight as well as his mobility.”
Showing incredible grit and determination, Matthew worked hard during the months that followed to regain enough strength to enable him to return to the 14-16 Academy school in St Helens from September 2017 on a part-time basis, after a gap of eight months.
Maureen said: “As well as focusing on completing all his exams Matthew was determined to attend Prom come what may and has spent months planning his Steam ● Punk outfit. From day one Matthew has been supported by his many friends and family including the 14-16 St Helens Academy School, St Ambrose Boys Brigade, the Liverpool Singing choir and the Widnes Fire Cadets.”
This support was demonstrated last July when the fire cadets held a bag pack at the Widnes Asda store and raised more than £1,000, which was shared equally between two cancer charities that are supporting Matthew and his family – Supershoes and CLIC Sar- gent.
Mrs Isherwood said that although a long road lies ahead, Matthew will continue to battle through.
She said: “Matthew still has a long way to go and will continue with daily chemotherapy treatment until April 2020.
“Nevertheless, he continues battle through the constant and debilitating fatigue and is focused on the future.
“He is looking forward to studying graphic design at St Helens College from September 2018.”