Brave teen was an ‘inspiration to everyone he met’
Heartbroken mum pays tribute to‘remarkable’son
An East Kilbride teenager diagnosed with l eukaemia a month before his father’s death has sadly died.
Greg or Campbell was laid to rest last Thursday, with friends, family and schoolmates lining the streets to say farewell.
The 18- year- old l eaves behind his heartbroken mother, Lainey Harkins, and distraught brother, Michael – but their struggles have been made all the easier because of Gregor’s positive outlook and compassion for others.
Lainey told the News this week: “There was never a time he felt sorry for himself.
“Throughout this time with cancer and the constant challenges, setbacks and daily battles, Gregor remained upbeat, positive and hopeful.
“He was an inspiration to ever yone he met, including the consultants at the
Beatson. He never, ever let it get him down, which for a young person his age is quite remarkable.
“He had a great sense of humour and this remained right to the end. He would have nurses and doctors laughing and it was hard to believe what was happening when he always had such a big smile on his face.
“Gregor had such a gift at being able to make other patients relax and laugh, he kept them going when he was going through the same as them.”
Greg or was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia on January 21, 2019, just a month before his father Mike sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on February 24.
Having been diagnosed, he began intensive chemotherapy sessions immediately, enduring the pain of the treatment and its side-effects until July 26 that year.
From his treatment ending at the Beatson, he went straight to the Queen Elizabeth for a stem cell transplant that same day.
Despite falling seriously ill at one point with sepsis, he responded “very well” to the transplant and life started to improve for Gregor.
Determined to“kick cancer’ s ass ,” he began to make plans for the future and look at getting back to life as a then 17-year-old.
But, the family were dealt a blow in April this year when they were given the devastating news that Gregor’s cancer had returned and it was now terminal.
Lainey, who gave up work to look after Mike and then Gregor, added: “He bravely made the decision to not continue with treatment.
“He wanted to make the most of the time he had left, surrounding himself with all the love and support of his family and friends.”
And that was indicative of a young man who was selfless to the core and would do anything to be among those he loved.
From all the testimonies paid to Gregor, his compassion and care for others is clear to see.
Lainey told the News how her “lovely husband” Mike was “so special” to all the family and when he passed, Gregor was her “rock,” even as he battled his own life-threatening illness.
The 58-year-old added: “I’m not sure many young men his age would have been able to shoulder all of this whilst supporting their mum after his dad died.
“The last two years of my life have been heartbreaking – to lose both Mike and Gregor is a tragedy.
“I have had a lot of advice from lots of lovely people, but the one that has stayed with me comes from a good friend at the Whitemoss Dental Practice.
“She wrote to me and said: ‘You do your best to go and enjoy your life to the full and do it on Gregor’s behalf ’.
“Before Gregor passed he told me to make sure I look after myself and Michael, and I know this is what I have to do – no matter how difficult every day is right now.
“Gregor has left a huge hole in all our lives and things will never be the same. But I need to find a way to grieve for my husband and him, and take care of Michael.”