Dream comes through for Chelsea fan Aaron
By Maurice Garvey
A FOOTBALL club sent a schoolboy cancer survivor on the trip of a lifetime, to see his favourite Premier League team.
Collinstown FC raised funds to send club member Aaron Reid (11) and his parents John and Lisa to London this month, to see his beloved Chelsea take on Tottenham.
Aaron Reid saw Chelsea take on Tottenham in the Premier League
It was the first time Aaron saw a live Premier League match - the occasion marking a return to form for the Clondalkin youngster, who is on the road to recovery after a grueling eight months.
Diagnosed in July 2017 with leukemia, the Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin student underwent chemotherapy treatment, but “hit all his markers”, according to his father John.
“He’s doing great and is on the maintenance phase to make sure it doesn’t come back. He had been on a Hickman Line (administration of chemo and medication) and it had to be kept sterile, but that has now changed to a pin-prick, which Lisa can deliver. He can go back to swimming and showers.”
Last summer, Aaron’s club Collinstown FC ran a successful blitz to raise funds for Our Lady’s Hospital cancer unit.
In August, the club’s Under 10s shaved their heads in support of Glenfield resident Aaron, courtesy of local Hairlough Barbers.
“Collinstown have been brilliant,” said John.
“They raised over €6,000 for Our Lady’s and sent us to London with tickets, accommodation and flights for two days. They deserve a lot of recognition. It’s nice to know the local community banded together.”
Aaron, a prominent footballer and karate competitor with Crumlin Kenpo, received the diagnosis shortly before he was due to earn his black belt.
John attributes his son’s good health as a key factor in his recovery.
“We had just got back from a holiday in Greece last July, when he became very pale and lethargic. I brought him to the VHI in the Beacon, and they told me to bring him to the GP for blood tests.
“At 4.15pm the next day, Our Lady’s rang to ask us to come in. It was shocking to discover. Life is upended. Lisa had to take two years leave of absence from work to be with him for his treatment.
“Speaking to his consultant, he hopes that Aaron will be back playing football in June, and hopefully within six months of that, he can compete for his black belt.”
