THE family of a three-year-old Co Down boy who has overcome cancer twice are calling for people to get "mucked to the eye-balls" in aid of the charity that has supported him.
Jack McCann from Magheralin was just one when he was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour, a type of kidney cancer.
Following Jack's first round of chemotherapy and surgery, the cancer returned within weeks.
His father Ruairi said the little boy underwent further treatment and three major surgeries, including one when his family "thought we almost lost him".
But the brave boy "bounced back and fought it so bravely, and never looked back after that".
During his treatment, Jack and his family received support from the Cancer Fund for Children, including a therapeutic short break at the charity's Daisy Lodge facility in Newcastle.
The family are now preparing to take part in the Bog Run challenge in Castlewellan Forest Park on October 9 to help raise funds for the charity and are calling for people to join them.
The event will see participants of all fitness levels take on various natural obstacles around the 5km course.
Money raised will help families like Jack's to benefit from Cancer Fund for Children’s range of practical, emotional and financial support, as well as free therapeutic short breaks at Daisy Lodge.
Mr McCann said they family were "absolutely devastated" when Jack was diagnosed in March 2014.
"I think it was made even more difficult because the day we found out, it was the anniversary of my nephew’s passing, who also had cancer," he said.
"That made it very real for us, we could not help but think the worst.
"We were very quickly referred to the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children where Jack's treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy was explained to us.
"After Jack’s first round of chemotherapy and surgery, the cancer came back within a couple of weeks and so he had more surgery and intense chemo after that.
"Jack had to have had three major surgeries in total, which were very tough and frightening for us as a family.
"During one of the surgeries, we thought we almost lost him. But he bounced back and fought it so bravely, and never looked back after that."
Mr McCann said after participating in the Bog Run last year, they were taking up the challenge again.
Amanda Steele from the Cancer Fund for Children said: "Whether you're a die-hard triathlon runner or you've never ran a mile in your life, I would urge everyone to give it a go.
For more information please visit cancerfundforchildren.com or email alex@cancerfundforchildren.com
