Lisburn News

Little Patrick celebrates birthday after illness

Patrick Campbell with a spider at his party.

Patrick Campbell at his party at the Gate

Patrick Campbell assists with a magic trick.

Patrick Campbell at his birthday party.

IT was an eighth birthday party that few of Patrick Campbell's family and friends will ever forget.

Up to 30 children joined little Patrick from Crumlin to celebrate his birthday at the Gate Inn, Gawley's Gate on Saturday afternoon.

Family and friends joined in the party with bouncy castles and a magician and cheered on Patrick as he arrived by boat.

Earlier this year, Patrick who suffered from Non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer had a life saving bone marrow transplant at Bristol Hospital.

Ironically Patrick, who has been battling cancer for two years had a relapse last year, on his seventh birthday. Doctors said at the time that the only treatment available was a bone marrow transplant. So Patrick had to have daily bouts of strong radiation and chemotherapy and intense medication before his bone marrow transplant took place earlier this year. He spent three months at Bristol Hospital in England before he returned home to Crumlin.

Earlier this summer, the family had a slight scare when Patrick spent time in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in July when his platelets had depleted and his family had to cancel a well deserved break to Liverpool.

Thankfully all was well and earlier this week, Patrick had a minor operation at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children to have his central line removed. He will however, spend many months undergoing physiotherapy to strengthen the tendons on the back of his heel.

So a party held at Gawley's Gate was well deserved for all. Family and friends attended a vigil mass at Mater Dei in Crumlin prior to the party last Saturday afternoon.

"I had asked some people to come and specifically told them not to bring presents," said mum Mairead. "But as kind as people are they brought many, many presents from Ben 10 toys to toy guns. He was totally spoilt. He got a hamster which he really wanted and calls it Smokey.

It is hard to imagine that this time last year he had relapsed and given a 10 per cent chance so for us this was the best birthday ever."

In October Mairead's family including tier father, Pat, brother-in-law David and sister-in-law Laura are planning to take part in a parachute jump to raise money for the NI Cancer Fund for Children.

This weekend, a Night of the Races to be held on Saturday night at Crumlin United is organised, all proceeds will go to Crumlin NI Cancer. Fund for Children. Doors open at Spin.

The next milestone for Patrick will be when he returns to the Gaelscoil in Crumlin on September 3.

"Because of his illness he missed Pl and P3," said Mairead. "He is really looking forward to be going back to school again."

Ulster Star
24/08/2012