Michelle Petkovic Photography

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Their shining light of hope

They say not all superhero’s wear capes and boy is that true!

Meet 17 year old Duran. In 2020 Duran became unwell and was sadly diagnosed with blood cancer B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (you can learn about that type of cancer here).

As a parent myself, I’m not even sure how you would mentally process being told that about your own child.

Since his diagnoses he has undergone 4 months of intensive chemotherapy and another 2 years of maintenance chemo, has had many rare and nasty side effects, over 100 days in hospital and more than 25 general anasetics, has suffered hair loss, mobility issues and nutrition so needed a nasal gastric tube, leg casts and so so so much more!

There were days when his Mums didn’t know if he would still be here tomorrow.

Yet despite all of that, with the incredible support of his beautiful family, he has kept smiling and fighting through it all.

He finally completed his last chemo session at the end of last month followed by a celebratory family photo shoot to help mark the momentous occasion!

So I introduce to you Duran and his family. He is easily one of the strongest young men I have ever met.