A BOY who battled cancer when he was just two is urging people to help save lives.
Matthew Whiley, of Cliffe Avenue, Lightcliffe, was in and out of hospital for months after he was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer.
He received dozens of units of blood and platelets during surgery and after chemotherapy.
Now the nine-year-old, who has been given the all-clear, is encouraging people to give blood so more children can be saved.
His mum, Angela, said: "Just a few minutes out of your day three times a year really can help save a life."
Angela and Matthew's dad Mark took the little boy to see their GP when his stomach started to swell.
Matthew spent months in hospital undergoing surgery and chemotherapy but now only visits hospital once a year for tests.
He attends Lightcliffe Primary School and enjoys football, trains and cooking.
Mrs Whiley said: "I want to say thank you to everyone who takes that half-hour out of their day because without them Matthew wouldn't have the full healthy life that he has now."
The National Blood Service needs 249,000 blood donations across Yorkshire and the North East every year.
If you are aged between 17 and 60 years of age, in general good health and weigh over 50 kilograms, you are eligible to give blood.
For more information about where to donate call 0845 7711711.
The full article contains 252 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
