Brave Harry receives award
A COURAGEOUS six-year-old who has battled with cancer has won Cancer Research UK's Little Star award.
Harry Gutsell is a football-mad youngster with a passion for life, but when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June 2007 and admitted to intensive care, his distraught parents thought he might never come out.
Despite his ordeal, Harry, who lives in the Roselands area and attends St Andrew's School in Winchelsea Road, has continued to shine and his courage has been recognised with a star-shaped trophy.
The annual Cancer Research UK Little Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, acknowledge the unique challenges faced by youngsters who encounter cancer.
Harry has also been given a certificate signed by celebrities including Leona Lewis, American heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers and athletics star Usain Bolt, plus a 50 voucher from TK Maxx.
Harry's mum Rachel Gutsell, who nominated him for the award, said, "Our whole family's life changed the day we were told Harry had cancer. It came as an absolute shock.
"But Harry has never complained. He enjoys every day, he loves school and he makes everyone laugh."
Rachel, dad Sean and big brother Charlie, 13, are immensely proud of him.
Rachel said it was very difficult for the family when Harry was first diagnosed.
She said, "I took Harry to the doctor because he was always getting out of breath, as if he had just run round the block. At first we were told it was asthma but I just knew it wasn't because he wasn't wheezing.
"After another visit to our own GP, he was referred to the hospital and was diagnosed within hours.
"He had a large tumour in his chest caused by leukaemia. We went by ambulance to St George's in Tooting and went straight into intensive care.
"I think we were in shock. As we went in, looking at all these very sick children, it felt a bit like hell on earth. I thought 'He is never going to come out of here'.
"And then a doctor called Kathy Pritchard-Jones came over and said, 'Right, let's discuss how we're going to get your son better'. It was as if Florence Nightingale had come into the room. It was what we needed to hear and we began to think maybe he could get better."
Harry began chemotherapy and spent the next year was spent in and out of hospital, not only for life-saving treatment, but with side-effects, infections and fungal pneumonia.
Harry's big brother Charlie, has been with him every step of the way, helping him through his treatment. Both the boys are football mad, training three times a week and playing for local teams. Cancer Research UK also awarded young Charlie a certificate for his bravery and courage when coping with his brother's illness.
Rachel added, "Charlie has put up with an awful lot and has never complained either. He's the best big brother anyone could have."
Lynn Daly from Cancer Research UK added, "Harry has had a lot to endure in the last couple of years but he has taken it all in his stride. He is a true Little Star."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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