By Vicki Weller
A SIX-YEAR-old Naas boy who underwent a bone marrow transplant at the age of 18 months and later suffered the partial amputation of his left leg was among the recipients of a national Children of Courage award at the weekend.
Aaron Redmond from Lakelands, Naas, suffers from a combination of inter-related illnesses including leukaemia, from which he has been in remission following the bone marrow transplant, along with Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder in which the nerve tissue grows tumours, resulting in the partial loss of his leg. While these tumours may be benign, they can cause serious damage by compressing nerves and other tissues. Aaron also suffers from Optic Giloma, a condition causing tumours affecting the optic nerves.
He received his Children of Courage award at a ceremony in Limerick, hosted by the Share A Dream Foundation. The organisation, founded by Shay Kinsella, raises funds to help sick and disabled children and their families by literally “making dreams come true”- from special holidays to allowing children to meet their heroes from the worlds of sport and entertainment.
Still smiling despite everything, Aaron (accompanied by his parents, Lorraine and Eoin) was delighted to receive his award at the ceremony in Limerick, which was presented by 2FM’s Will Leahy.
A senior Infant pupil of Holy Child School in Ballycane, Naas, Aaron is described by his mum, Lorraine, as “a happy little boy” who is always cheerful despite what he has gone through.
“It all kicked off when he was just 11 months old. He had chemotherapy for the leukaemia and when that wasn’t successful, he had the bone marrow transplant. There has been a lot of treatment but he has been extremely good,” Lorraine told the Kildare Nationalist.
Lorraine and her husband Eoin have two other children, Katie (11) and Seamus (5). “Of course it has been difficult but I’m glad to say that Aaron is great now,” said Lorraine, adding that they were about to go on the Four Live afternoon TV show yesterday (Monday).
“I’m picking him up from school so we can go up to Dublin for the show, which is exciting for him. He’s a busy little man at the moment!”