SUFFERERS OF THE FUTURE
REON’SSTORY
After a long battle, Cannon, now five, has beaten cancer and his mum Melissa, from Irvine, donated the huge sum to the appeal through her charity Cannonball Kids’ Cancer.
The appeal culminated in a children’s charity’s annual ball at the Hilton hotel in Glasgow, where a special tribute was paid to tragic teen Ciara Allan, who lost her battle with a brain tumour in September.
Ciara, from Islay, was just 16 when she died after battling serious illness since she was two.
She spoke at last year’s ball after helping fund a pioneering £200,000 endoscope which has revolutionised brain surgery for children in Scotland.
To honour the fundraising work done by Ciara before her death, her family set up a crowd-funding page to help the Schiehallion Appeal, which raked in £16,600 in a few weeks.
Shona Cardle, chief executive of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “Over the past six months, Scotland has truly opened its heart to the children and families treated in the Schiehallion ward.
“This phenomenal total could not have been achieved had it not been for the steadfast support of Daily Record readers, our donors, fundraisers and volunteers, all of whom have given so much in support of our young patients.
“Cancer is a fight that no child IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE should have to face, but thanks to our generous supporters, our children know they are not facing the fight alone.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Kevin Hill said: “The enhanced clinical trials provision will help ensure that children treated at the Royal Hospital for Children for cancer and blood disorders will have access to the very best care as close to home as possible.” A YOUNG boy who was diagnosed with leukaemia last year stunned his family and medics by running to the summit of Schiehallion this summer.
Reon McSherry, 12, was diagnosed when a tiny rash appeared on his ankles. He was saved by a bone marrow donation from his big brother.
Reon, from North Berwick, East Lothian, was transferred to Glasgow for a bone marrow transplant last October. At the hospital, the family saw a mural of Schiehallion and heard about the children’s charity’s annual climb.
In June, Reon completed it in tough conditions which included hailstones and lightning storms.