Declans Decathlon
Leanne McEntee is raising money for Manchester Foundation Trust Charity
Story
Declan McEntee is 16 and has been a patient of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital since the day he was born.
Aged 10 he embarked on a campaign to help raise money and awareness for the hospital that has cared for him his whole life. This project is called ‘Declan’s Decathlon’ and consists of Declan taking part in 10 events or projects to say thanks for over 10 years of treatment. Unfortunately for Declan, up until now he hasnt been well enough to complete his final event, and that’s why we are now thrilled to say he will be embarking on a mammoth challenge of taking part in the Manchester 10K.
Here is a little glimpse of why the hospital is so important to Declan’s life and why we are asking for your support today.
Declan was born with a rare lung condition called pulmonary sequestration. With this in mind the family then faced the heartbreaking news that he had contracted meningitis and sepsis at just 3 days old. Already having gone through an enormous trauma, Declan was only 4 weeks old when he was then diagnosed with congenital conditions; intestinal malrotation and meckles divericulum meaning he had to face his first life saving operation.
Since that moment Declan has continued to battle various health problems, he has had 15 surgeries so far (with more to come) which includes multiple life saving operations as well as surgeries to repair sleep apnea and low hearing. He has also needed many more hospital visits and stays to treat other conditions that have affected him and his immune system over the years.
One of the conditions that has brought major complications for Declan is his Intestinal malrotation, this is a condition where the small and large intestine form incorrectly during pregnancy and can cause life threatening twisting of the bowels. Unfortunately, and due to excessive abdominal adhesions, Declan has faced this unthinkable situation multiple times.
Just two years ago Declan had a major relapse, where he ended up critically ill. He needed more surgery to repair twisting in his bowels but this unfortunately led to further complications meaning he then needed more life saving surgery. Whilst spending four months in the hospital he endured time in intensive care, needed a stoma fitting meaning he wore a illeostomy bag, and was also unable to eat which led to him becoming malnourished and being fed intravenously only through a medical diet.
This is a time that Declan and his family will never forget, but thing that got them through all the dark days was the treatments, care and support that all the staff gave to him.
We can honestly say that each and every member of staff went above and beyond and that’s we now call them our RMCH Family. Some people feel sad that the hospital is like our second home, but we don’t! We feel extremly lucky to have such amazing facilities on our door step that have provided Declan with the love and care he’s received over his 16 years of life - if it wasn’t for them he would not be here.
From the outside Declan looks like the typical teenager but his recovery has taken a long time, he’s needed regular physio sessions to help him get back to good health as well as regular visits each month to the hospital.
In this last year he has been working even harder on his fitness levels and he now feels it’s time to face his next challenge - GREAT MANCHESTER RUN 10K.
Declan will be one of the youngest to take part in the event and this will be a huge challenge for him after all he has faced. On the day he will be joined by a team of very special friends & family, that are supporting him every step of the way.
We are all so proud of Declan and what he has achieved in his life, he has faced the darkest of times yet still continually thinks of others. This event will be an extra special one as it see’s Declan take on his TENTH challenge, which is a 10K, whilst the hospital also celebrate 10years of their new site.
We would love as much support as possible. whether it’s through donating to his cause or spreading his story far and wide.
For more information on Declan’s journey, his charity campaign and to see how his money have helped others so far then please visit:
www.facebook.com/declansdecathlonwww.twitter.com/DecsDecathlonwww.instagram.com/declansdecathlon
Thank you for taking the time to read this story.
Aged 10 he embarked on a campaign to help raise money and awareness for the hospital that has cared for him his whole life. This project is called ‘Declan’s Decathlon’ and consists of Declan taking part in 10 events or projects to say thanks for over 10 years of treatment. Unfortunately for Declan, up until now he hasnt been well enough to complete his final event, and that’s why we are now thrilled to say he will be embarking on a mammoth challenge of taking part in the Manchester 10K.
Here is a little glimpse of why the hospital is so important to Declan’s life and why we are asking for your support today.
Declan was born with a rare lung condition called pulmonary sequestration. With this in mind the family then faced the heartbreaking news that he had contracted meningitis and sepsis at just 3 days old. Already having gone through an enormous trauma, Declan was only 4 weeks old when he was then diagnosed with congenital conditions; intestinal malrotation and meckles divericulum meaning he had to face his first life saving operation.
Since that moment Declan has continued to battle various health problems, he has had 15 surgeries so far (with more to come) which includes multiple life saving operations as well as surgeries to repair sleep apnea and low hearing. He has also needed many more hospital visits and stays to treat other conditions that have affected him and his immune system over the years.
One of the conditions that has brought major complications for Declan is his Intestinal malrotation, this is a condition where the small and large intestine form incorrectly during pregnancy and can cause life threatening twisting of the bowels. Unfortunately, and due to excessive abdominal adhesions, Declan has faced this unthinkable situation multiple times.
Just two years ago Declan had a major relapse, where he ended up critically ill. He needed more surgery to repair twisting in his bowels but this unfortunately led to further complications meaning he then needed more life saving surgery. Whilst spending four months in the hospital he endured time in intensive care, needed a stoma fitting meaning he wore a illeostomy bag, and was also unable to eat which led to him becoming malnourished and being fed intravenously only through a medical diet.
This is a time that Declan and his family will never forget, but thing that got them through all the dark days was the treatments, care and support that all the staff gave to him.
We can honestly say that each and every member of staff went above and beyond and that’s we now call them our RMCH Family. Some people feel sad that the hospital is like our second home, but we don’t! We feel extremly lucky to have such amazing facilities on our door step that have provided Declan with the love and care he’s received over his 16 years of life - if it wasn’t for them he would not be here.
From the outside Declan looks like the typical teenager but his recovery has taken a long time, he’s needed regular physio sessions to help him get back to good health as well as regular visits each month to the hospital.
In this last year he has been working even harder on his fitness levels and he now feels it’s time to face his next challenge - GREAT MANCHESTER RUN 10K.
Declan will be one of the youngest to take part in the event and this will be a huge challenge for him after all he has faced. On the day he will be joined by a team of very special friends & family, that are supporting him every step of the way.
We are all so proud of Declan and what he has achieved in his life, he has faced the darkest of times yet still continually thinks of others. This event will be an extra special one as it see’s Declan take on his TENTH challenge, which is a 10K, whilst the hospital also celebrate 10years of their new site.
We would love as much support as possible. whether it’s through donating to his cause or spreading his story far and wide.
For more information on Declan’s journey, his charity campaign and to see how his money have helped others so far then please visit:
www.facebook.com/declansdecathlonwww.twitter.com/DecsDecathlonwww.instagram.com/declansdecathlon
Thank you for taking the time to read this story.