Harrison Pennicott’s brother will donate cells in fight against Scleroderma

Warranwood’s Harrison Pennicott has spent four years battling a rare skin and auto-immune disease. After several unsuccessful courses of treatment, his older brother Miller is now preparing to donate his stem cells so they can once again kick the footy together.

Miller Pennicott, 9 (right), is donating his stem cells to help brother Harrison, 7, in his fight against scleroderma. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The big brother of one of Australia’s youngest scleroderma sufferers is selflessly going under the knife to improve his brother’s health.

Warranwood’s Miller Pennicott, 9, is donating stem cells to younger brother Harrison, 7, in the latest effort to try and cure the brave youngster from the rare skin and auto-immune disease.

Harrison was first diagnosed four years ago and his family and specialists at The Royal Children’s Hospital have tried multiple courses of treatment.

He had chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant in September to create a new immune system to protect him from the disease, which was unsuccessful.

But Miller’s cells are likely to stand a better chance, as testing prior to last year’s surgery found he was 100 per cent compatible as a donor.

Harrison and Miller swing around at their local park in Warranwood. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s DNA in your body and it helps you walk, run and all kinds of things,” Miller said.

“I’m going into hospital to try and save Harrison’s life, I want to kick the footy with him again.”

Harrison will return to The Royal Children’s Hospital on June 16 to begin another round of chemotherapy.

Miller will go in for a one-day operation to donate his cells on June 25, and parents Jamie and Leesa have promised him a Rubik’s cube after surgery.

Harrison and Miller Pennicott are mad footy fans. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Jamie said Miller signed up for the transplant without hesitation when they found he was compatible.

“As soon as we asked him, he said ‘no worries’, he just didn’t think twice,” he said.

“He’s very positive about it all and happy.”

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Harrison will then recover for up to four months in hospital and the at home following treatment.

He has also finished school until at least term four, with his special mate, Essendon AFL captain Dyson Heppell, surprising him and his classmates with pizza on his last day.

Dyson Heppell surprised Harrison Pennicott and his Warranwood Primary School classmates recently. Picture: Supplied

The duo have a strong bond, with Heppell doing March’s Herald Sun/Transurban Run With The Kids with the family and a team of 200 supporters.

He also shaved off his beard for Harrison last year, which raised more than $60,000 for Scleroderma Victoria.

Harrison said he was worried about Miller’s surgery as he didn’t want him to get hurt by needles.

But he hoped Miller’s cells would help him “punch it (scleroderma) in the face” and they could then have their long-awaited footy showdown in their backyard once he was better.

Miller was just as pumped and wasn’t chickening out on the contest either.

“It’s on like Donkey Kong,” he said.

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