Birthday cake and a trip to the movies for Scotland’s bravest teen

The Post reported on the story of a young boy’s cancer treatment in this edition in April 1980.

The boy, who was only reported as Daniel, was the first person in the world to receive a new “wonder drug”.

“Daniel, the Glasgow lad being treated with Interferon, has had a surprise outing from hospital. He celebrated his 17th birthday last week in his ward at the

Victoria Infirmary. Nurses produced a dumpling and birthday cake which he tucked into.”

The drug had been secured by Dr Tom Mcallister, of Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children, for two of his patients. It meant pleading with a Danish laboratory chief to provide him with the precious drug.

“Daniel then went on his first outing for months – a visit to the cinema. His parents took him to the

Film Centre in Sauchiehall Street, to the film of his choice – Clint Eastwood in Escape From Alcatraz. His face tumour has reduced in size and he’s feeling 100% better in himself.”

Unfortunately there was a scientific backlash to the use of the drug, with some saying it had been used before proper trials had been carried out.

And tragically, both of Dr Mcallister’s patients died within a year of starting their treatment.