Ninja Turtle Mask Gives Little Boy The Strength To Cope With Cancer Treatment

Ninja Turtle Mask Gives Little Boy The Strength To Cope With Cancer Treatment
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A little boy with cancer wears a Ninja Turtle"> mask to give him the courage to face gruelling treatment.

Harley Renshaw, five, says his superhero mask makes him feel stronger as he fights rare neuroblastoma in his kidney, neck, lung and bones.

Harley, who has been been awarded one of Cancer Research UK's Little Star Awards, amazed staff when he asked if he could decorate the protective medical mask that holds him still during radiotherapy treatment.

The brave boy has also made some special 'beads of courage' to help him feel brave in hospital.

And he has called a big scar across his stomach his 'pirate scar'.

His mum Stacey, 23, told the Manchester Evening News: "We couldn't be prouder of our boy. He has had such a lot to deal with, but he just takes it all in his stride and gets on with it. He is a true inspiration and he is our superhero."

Harley was diagnosed after his mum and dad, Oliver, took him to the doctor after he complained of pain in his tummy.

He has had 80 days of intensive chemotherapy and an operation to remove his kidney tumour, plus 14 days of radiotherapy. He faces five months of further treatment.

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Stacey said: "When we received Harley's diagnosis, we were in complete shock. Our world came crashing down and we were terrified.

"But not once did Harley complain about going for treatment.

"The hospital staff were amazed at how well he behaved during his radiotherapy and how he managed to keep so still."

Cancer Research UK is calling on people to nominate more Little Stars.

The awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, are open to under-18s who have cancer or who have been treated for the disease in the last five years.

To nominate a Little Star, go to cruk.org/littlestar

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