‘With all that he has gone through, he looked after us, that’s why he’s a hero to me and his mother’

Diagnosed with Stage Four Hodgkin's Lymphoma at just 17, Navan teen James McGrath is proving an inspiration to the loved ones around him who are determined to see him through his battle and are undertaking a unique fundraising challenge in the process

A DEVOTED Navan father is organising a gruelling fundraising challenge for his hero son, who is battling stage four Lymphoma at the age of just 18.

James McGrath of Athlumney Abbey was only 17 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma last July and in fighting this disease he has had to cope with changes no teenager should have to deal with.

His father, Rory, along with four other fundraisers is taking on an arduous challenge later this month to raise funds which they will divide among Give Blood.ie, Hodgkin's Lymphoma Research and James, to help him return to college and enjoy a better quality of life when his gruelling treatment is over.

“James is a special kid and has a strength that I have never personally witnessed before. His battle started in August and continues today,” says Rory.

“We want to support James and when his treatment is over, put light at the end of his tunnel and show him how much people care about him.”

The Spartan Challenge will take place around Navan on 19th and 20th February.

Rory will be joined by Dean Ryan, Owen O'Connell, Eamonn McGrath and Graham Hennessy in walking 5km, running 10km and cycling 20km through the night, while fasting from 12 hours before the challenge to 12 hours after and staying awake for 24 hours.

“This will just give us an idea of what James's body is going through, as he is having his treatment.

“Because of social distancing the five of us will be doing the events at different times.”

As well as the five taking on the big challenge, there are several others who have opted to raise funds by walking, running or cycling.

James, who went to St Anne's Loreto Primary School and St Patrick's Classical School was looking forward to starting college when he was diagnosed last July.

“It was a terrible shock for James and for all of us - my wife, Celine and I and our three other children, Rachel, Layla and Archie, but James was very brave and determined. He is a real hero.

James was told his cancer was stage four progression and intensity level five, but after six bouts of chemo, he is actually better than the doctors though he would be.

“He is very positive and he will beat this.” James is due to finish his chemotherapy in March. “We hope everything will be clear by then and he will be able to have a bone marrow transplant and go back to college.”

James got a place in the Dublin Institute of Technology to study Computer Facing Technology and took up his place last autumn, but had to drop out as he found the treatment too gruelling.

Rory explains that James is on a 21 day cycle of treatment. “He spends seven to eight days in Tallaght Hospital having intravenous chemotherapy for three to four days and then in pill form.

“When he comes home, he has to rest and isolate and cannot see anybody.

“When is finished the chemotherapy he is like a zombie, but he gets fresh blood transfusions and is transformed from having zero energy into someone laughing and joking again, like a different person.

“When in the thick of it James lost all his hair, which is hard for any kid growing up and finding his way. His eyebrows went, eyelashes and his beard faded away.

His muscle mass deteriorated due to the chemo cocktail. Muscles regress to the level of an old man due to the chemicals. Food never tastes right, even when he can eat.

“He had to have bone marrow pulled from the base of his spine and he couldn't see his friends and family. Only his amazing mother and I were allowed to go up to see him.”

“Despite everything, his courage made it easier for us.

“James made it easier for everyone to cope with him being sick.

“With all he had to go through, he looked after us and that’s why he is a hero to me and his mother.” Rory want to thank the amazing staff at Tallaght University Hospital, the volunteers at www.giveblood.ie and for the support he received from his family and his friends over the last while.

Rory says his son has been through so much, he wants James to be able to return to college and he wants to buy him a car to make life easier for him when travelling to college and to give him something to look forward to.

“I want him to have a huge light at the end of a very dark tunnel, and to walk away with the knowledge that his best years are ahead.”

“My son is more than a hero or a warrior, just like any other child who faced this unendurable disease.” he said.