Lucas’ nurse, Molly, is taking on an incredible challenge to help him make memories with his family
Lucas in hospital(Image: Molly Dundas )
A teenager battling the return of a rare cancer dreams of being able to go out and explore Dartmoor, and one of his oncology nurses is taking on an incredible challenge to help him reach his dream.
Plymouth teen Lucas has spent years courageously fighting neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer which usually affects young children.
The 17-year-old spent years battling the cancer and was given the all clear from doctors, but tragically was told that the cancer had returned.
As a result of the ongoing treatment, Lucas has been left with a severe lung condition, hearing loss, and loss of mobility.
Speaking to PlymouthLive, oncology nurse at Derriford Hospital, Molly Dundas, said she decided to set up a GoFundMe to help Lucas get an all-terrain off road wheelchair so he can fulfil his dream of exploring Dartmoor.
Lucas said: “It’s my dream to go on Dartmoor, but my legs and lungs don’t work”.
Molly said Lucas “just wants to be able to go out and enjoy a day with his family and make memories while he still can”.
Lucas in hospital(Image: Molly Dundas )
Molly said throughout the time she has worked with Lucas, he has had “such a lovely smile and enthusiasm” adding that he is always “so lovely, kind, and polite, and never rude”.
A typical wheelchair is unsuitable for Lucas to go out to Dartmoor because of the terrain, and would pose a risk of tipping over with him in it, so he requires an expensive off road wheelchair.
Using her annual leave to take on the challenge, Molly and her partner Josh are taking on the challenge, spending four days walking 100km over the moors, carrying all the kit they will need on their backs.
Despite being involved with the Scouts and being experienced with walks across Dartmoor, Molly said: “I’ve not done anything this long before, but we can do this for Lucas.
Molly and her partner Josh(Image: Molly Dundas )
“No matter how uncomfortable I am going to be over the walk, it is nothing compared to what he has gone through,” she added.
Molly is starting the challenge to raise money for Lucas on September 10 and plans to finish the 100km walk by September 13.
Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in a nerve cell, usually in young children. Cancer Research UK said neuroblastoma rarely develops in older children, teens, and adults.
To see more about Lucas’s story and Molly’s incredible challenge, or to donate, click here.