‘You must fight, but have fun too’
DETERMINED Olly McKenna is on a mission to prove children with cancer can still have fun.
The brave 11-year-old had his life turned upside down by a brain tumour diagnosis less than a year ago.
Surgeons worked for more than nine hours to remove the cancer, and the Bill Quay Primary schoolboy underwent gruelling courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for months.
In spite of a devastating diagnosis, Olly has faced adversity with a smile and fundraised thousands in the process.
This strong and positive outlook has seen the 11-year-old, from Bill Quay, Gateshead, earn a nomination for Champion Child of Courage in the 2018 Chronicle Champions Awards.
Proud mum Jill said: “I think it’s fantastic for him. He does so much for others.
“He’s been going through so much himself, but he does not care. He is a real go-getter and his determination is unheard of.
“Olly is our child and we love him, but it’s quite an inspiration to see him as a person now.
“From the moment he woke up from surgery, he was so determined he was going to get on with life.” Olly started feeling sick while watching the Great North City Games in September, the day before dad Jason ran the Great North Run.
Jill, a superintendent radiographer at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, says it was “mother’s intuition” more than symptoms which led her to take her son for an MRI scan.
Surgery and months of treatment followed, and in the face of this courageous Olly started living life to the full.
The football-mad youngster ziplined across St James’ Park and was a mascot for Newcastle United in March.
Unable to play, he was named assistant manager for his youth football side and talked tactics from his hospital bed.
Jill, 44, said: “You can have fun while going through your treatment. We have had some of our best times in our lives, and we really appreciate one another and how strong we have become. Olly wants to prove to people that you can have fun while having cancer treatment.
Olly has channelled his experience for good by fundraising to improve facilities for child patients. The schoolboy raised thousands in bucket collections at the Theatre Royal, and spoke in front of classmates with mum Jill to raise awareness of his diagnosis and the treatment on offer.
Olly was even recognised by his club for a special award, and bravely spoken at the awards evening in front of hundreds about his diagnosis.
Jill added: “Olly said he wanted to speak . He told them he’s a fighter and when you have a diagnosis like this, you have to fight hard.”
Jill estimates more than £23,000 has been raised so far by her enterprising son.
TO find out more about Olly’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving. com/teams/TeamOllyMac.