Boy Suffering From Cancer Wears Ninja Turtle Mask To Help Him Feel Brave

When most children dress up as their favourite superhero, it is usually just to play imaginary games with their friends in the back garden.

But for five-year-old Harley Renshaw, it is in order to help him be brave while he undergoes chemotherapy treatment for an aggressive form of childhood cancer.

Harley was diagnosed with cancer in his kidney, lung, bone and neck just after starting primary school and had to have 80 days of intensive chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and an operation to remove a tumour from his kidney.

Mother Stacey Parker, 23, and dad Oliver Renshaw, 25, said Harley had been amazing during his treatment.

Ms Parker said: 'Not once did he complain about going for treatment. He has a big scar right across his belly which he calls his "pirate scar". We couldn't be any prouder of our boy.

'He has had such a lot to deal with this year and he just takes it all in his stride and gets on with it. He is a true inspiration and he is our hero.'

The family only discovered Harley was ill shortly after he started school, when his mother took him to a walk-in clinic with a pain in his stomach.

He was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, and was sent to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital to undergo pioneering treatment.

Ms Parker 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.'