Bookworm Declan, 14, plots his way back to health
Devoted reader bravely beats cancer – and wins top prize
A TEENAGER who spent just three days at lessons because he was fighting cancer in hospital has won the top award at his school’s prize-giving.
When bookworm Declan Rennie, 14, was found to have an aggressive form of leukaemia, doctors warned his parents that he faced months of lifesaving treatment.
But the brave boy from Falkirk, Stirlingshire, decided to face the condition head-on.
And, realising he’d be bored silly away from all his schoolpals, he took all his books with him to pass the time when he was admitted to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
Declan, a pupil at St Mungo’s High School, explained: “My first thoughts were that I would hardly be at school but, instead, stuck in hospital.
“This was going to be so boring because I love school. So I decided to take a stack of books with me to read.”
As the weeks turned into months, superhero fan Declan worked his way through dozens of books.
“My favourite ones are based on Marvel characters. Iron Man is just brilliant,” said the bright youngster.
“I spent time poring over the plots, wondering how I could write storylines like this myself.
“I read every Harry Potter book, some twice, and then moved on to Thomas Hardy novels.
“The books stopped me thinking about the chemo, which was making me feel sick and very tired.
“I have to be honest, I never thought I would die. “I knew I would survive.” The eldest of five boys, Declan’s cancer returned and he had to undergo a stem cell transplant from an unknown donor in January.
The treatment lowered his immune system and confined him to the teenage cancer ward.
It was then that Declan was awarded his school’s prize for English and its Tom Kennedy Award for outstanding work.
He was too ill to attend prizegiving so his parents Amandajane and Gavin attended the special day on his behalf.
And his teachers delivered his English certificate personally to his cancer ward.
“I felt really happy because I had been at school just three days of third year,” smiled Declan.
Doting dad Gavin, 40, said: “It was one of the proudest moments of my life.
“Not only had Declan beaten a serious cancer but he had excelled
in his lessons. At the age of 14 he had had to endure what most people do not suffer in a lifetime.
“Throughout it all he ploughed on with his school work.
“He has always had a book in his hands since he was a toddler.”
Amandajane, 34, said: “We have been through some tough times but Declan has thrived. “He is our Iron Man.” The family had a double celebration when Amandajane gave birth to baby Sandy, now five months old.
Declan’s brave journey will now feature in a compelling new documentary.
Growing Up With Cancer will be shown on BBC One tomorrow at 7.30pm.