A YOUNG Star Wars fanatic will get to watch the new film surrounded by his family and friends after his mum and dad booked more than 100 tickets at one screening to celebrate the end of his four-year cancer treatment programme.
Dan Nesbitt Rowand, from Catshill, was diagnosed with leukaemia the day before he started school at just four-years-old and has undergone several treatments ever since.
The now eight-year-old had his last lumbar puncture and dose of chemotherapy on Wednesday (December 16) and as he will now be in remission, he will undergo checks for the next five years. The family hopes he will then be given the all-clear.
To mark this milestone in his journey, his mum Sarah, has managed to get more than 100 of his friends, family and teachers from Lickey Hill Primary School together and they will watch Star Wars – The Force Awakens at Empire Cinema in Rubery, on Wednesday, December 23.
She said: “It has been a really hard time.
“He has spent so much time in hospital that all he could do was watch a lot of films and play with Lego. Star Wars is his favourite.
“When we asked him what he wanted to do to celebrate he said he wanted to go watch the new film and we thought it is such a positive step in the right direction that we wanted to make it special.
“He is very excited about going but I don’t think he quite comprehends how many people are going to be there to celebrate his good news.
“He has already caught up on his school work but he is really looking forward to having more energy and getting back to living a normal life.”
Dan’s parents had to cancel their wedding last year but they are looking forward to more celebrations next year and, now their son is in better health, the couple will finally be able to tie the knot.
The cinema’s general manager Leon Fairbank said: “The Nesbitts have so much to celebrate after their son’s successful treatment and we’re really honoured that Empire Great Park and Star Wars: The Force Awakens are part of this.
“We’re determined to make the event memorable for the family.”
