Derry teenage cancer survivor dreams of meeting Luke Skywalker

A Derry teenager, who beat cancer twice, is appealing for anyone who can make his dream of meeting '˜Star Wars' star Mark Hamill (a.k.a. Luke Skywalker) come true to get in touch.
Derry teenager, Jamie Harkin, (back, left) pictured with some of the children he has helped through his own charity, 'Jamie's Journie'.Derry teenager, Jamie Harkin, (back, left) pictured with some of the children he has helped through his own charity, 'Jamie's Journie'.
Derry teenager, Jamie Harkin, (back, left) pictured with some of the children he has helped through his own charity, 'Jamie's Journie'.

Seventeen years-old Jamie Harkin was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stage 4B twice when he was 12 and when he was 15 years-old.

Jamie, who was a winner at last year’s ‘Derry Journal People of the Year Awards’, set-up ‘Jamie’s Journie’ to help other young people affected by cancer diagnosis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Over the last 18 months, Jamie has raised money to help many boys and girls affected by cancer.

Unfortunately, Jamie’s health has deteriorated in recent months and since January he has been admitted to the Sperrin Unit in Altnagelvin Hospital several times.

Jamie is and has been a massive ‘Star Wars’ fan and when he heard film director Rian Johnson was shooting scenes for the next instalment of the intergalactic saga in Malin Head he saw it as a chance to meet his hero Mark Hamill who plays Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker.

In a bid to bring some much needed joy to a two year-old with cancer, Jamie dressed up as ‘Star Wars’ villain Darth Vader last year; now he is hoping someone might do the same for him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jamie is still very ill but his mother, Patricia Harkin, explained to the ‘Journal’ why her son is such a fan of the ‘Star Wars’ franchise.

Jamie Harkin dressed as Darth Vader making little Ciaran's dream come true. Little Ciaran has only just turned two but was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Jamie organised for The Emerald Garrison to go and visit little Ciaran through his charity 'Jamie's Journie'.Jamie Harkin dressed as Darth Vader making little Ciaran's dream come true. Little Ciaran has only just turned two but was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Jamie organised for The Emerald Garrison to go and visit little Ciaran through his charity 'Jamie's Journie'.
Jamie Harkin dressed as Darth Vader making little Ciaran's dream come true. Little Ciaran has only just turned two but was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Jamie organised for The Emerald Garrison to go and visit little Ciaran through his charity 'Jamie's Journie'.

“Jamie is the biggest ‘Star Wars’ fan in the galaxy,” said proud mum, Patricia.

“This is where we need the people of Derry’s help, by sharing this request to all social media in the hope that Mark Hamill or Daisy Ridley [who plays Rey] see it.

“‘Star Wars Episode VIII’ is filming just out of eye shot of Jamie’s house, and it would be a dream come true for him and some of his Journie kids to meet the cast and crew on the set in Malin Head,” added Patricia.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Patricia said she understands that the request is a long shot but explained that the smile that would be on Jamie’s face if it was to become a reality would make the appeal worthwhile.

Jamie Harkin dressed as Darth Vader making little Ciaran's dream come true. Little Ciaran has only just turned two but was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Jamie organised for The Emerald Garrison to go and visit little Ciaran through his charity 'Jamie's Journie'.Jamie Harkin dressed as Darth Vader making little Ciaran's dream come true. Little Ciaran has only just turned two but was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Jamie organised for The Emerald Garrison to go and visit little Ciaran through his charity 'Jamie's Journie'.
Jamie Harkin dressed as Darth Vader making little Ciaran's dream come true. Little Ciaran has only just turned two but was diagnosed with leukaemia last year. Jamie organised for The Emerald Garrison to go and visit little Ciaran through his charity 'Jamie's Journie'.

“We can’t believe that we are asking this, but as we watched our son unwrap a shipment from a galaxy far far away, and he ignited his very own real Lightsaber for the very first time, we saw his smile which lit up the room emerge again - we want to see this smile again and meeting Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley would be a surefire way of doing it.”

Related topics: