Thanks for taking the time to visit Declan JustGiving page.
Declan Bennett from Bracknell:-
Declan went to see his GP for his six weeks old check up where we was told that Declan had a hole in his heart, and hoped it would close up as he grew older. Unfortantly in December 2008 we was told that Declan would need to go in to Great Ormond Street Hospital to have an operation in March 2009.
Declan went in to Great Ormond Street for his operation, Ten days later Declan became very poorly with a high temp and a rash. He had all the doctors from all departments trying despratly to find out what was wrong with him.
Eventually they dignosed Declan with Secondary HLH, This is a very rare disease now Declan had a fight on his hands. Declan was in Great Ormond Street hospital for ten weeks under going chemo treatment.
After that he was aloud home, however only for a short time (two weeks) then became very poorly very quickly due to the protcal of the steriods and Chemo being on alternative weeks. He was re admitted back in to Great Ormond Street Hospital as this was not working.
There we was told that Declan would need a Bone Marrow Transplant which took place on the 24 August 2009. Declan’s Mummy Sherrie was his perfect Bone Marrow Match, which she was more then happy to do anything to help her little boy get better.
After several weeks in to Declan Transplant he was still 100% engrafted of his new cells. Declan then was admitted in to PICU (intensive care) duing his stay after being put on a ventilator for five days Declan put up a brave fight and pulled through.
The second week of December Declan was finally aloud home after his transplant he was doing so well. Early hours Xmas Eve Declan was having some breathing differculties where he was re admitted back in to Great Ormond Street Hospital. The day after Boxing Day he was taken in to PICU where he was put on a ventilator.
Declan sadly passed away after a long strong and brave fight of HLH at the age of four years old on the 5 January 2010.
Declan was a special little boy that always had a big smile, he was brave and loved being around people. He was a ture and a natural entertainer and lived life to the full.
Declan will be sadly missed every day by his family & friends even those who never got the chance to meet him.
Info on HLH:-
Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a very rare but life-threatening disease that usually affects babies and children. It is caused by an uncontrolled growth of activated white blood cells which stop the body’s immune system from working properly. It can be likened to a very severe form of inflammation that the body is not able to turn off and as a result, an affected child is more susceptible to infections. Treatment includes chemotherapy and sometimes a bone marrow transplant.
In the United Kingdom, there are about 15 children diagnosed each year with HLH and international studies have shown there is a survival rate of only 55%.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now this will help in so many way's. Kind Regards Sherrie & Paul Bennett Declan's parent's Xxx
