Jak Trueman's 'incredible legacy' featured in new book

Unfailing in his positive attitude Jak kept smiling to the end

The mother of cancer battler Jak Trueman who tragically died of cancer aged 15 has released a book documenting her son’s courageous battle with cancer and his legacy.Jak was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer called gamma delta T-cell lymphoma in August 2014 and sadly passed away in February 2015.The teenager’s first words to his mum after receiving the devastating terminal diagnosis were: “right mum, make sure you are happy again.”This positive and selfless attitude touched the hearts of many people and gained him 28,000 likes on Facebook and thousands of pounds worth of donations.It was Jak’s wish for the money to be used to help other children in his situation and shortly after his death his family launched the charity Team Jak.Over the last five years, operating from Team Jak’s headquarters in Livingston where his family still lives, the charity has offered emotional and practical support for hundreds of young people living with cancer.The late schoolboy’s mother Allison Barr has worked as the chief executive of Team Jak for the last five years and says it’s been a privilege to help other children and keep ‘my boy’s’ memory alive.The mother-of-two will further her son’s legacy through the book ‘My Beautiful Boy’ documenting his life, death and lasting memory.Launching on Monday, September 21 on what would have been Jak’s 21st birthday, Allison will release the book as a final gift to her son.The ex-teacher started writing her son’s story in the weeks following Jak’s death and said the process helped her process his passing.She said: “It was very therapeutic, it was my way of processing everything that had happened. Jak’s battle has been relatively short and so much happened in those months.“As a teacher, I was very used to controlling anything and that got taken away. The book is my way of taking back control.”However, she added that reading back her words five years after her son’s death has been traumatic and brought a ‘new wave of grief’ she was not expecting.She said: “Proofreading the book was quite traumatic, it was like reliving it all again. At the time it happened I was almost numb but reading it back makes it more real and being in lockdown where I was on my own with my wee dog really highlighted the gap without Jak.She added: “But I also felt pride, I was so proud of everything he has achieved before his passing and everything that has come since.”The book starts when Jak was born describing him as a ‘typical boy’ who was unsure of himself but slowly growing into his character.It recounts the shock diagnosis and the incredible positive attitude Jak retained throughout his battle with the disease.The last chapters showcase the enormous success Team Jak has had which Allison said her son would be “blown away to see”.She said: “ Jak was an ordinary boy who didn’t think he was as soon as his peers, I think he would have been blown away to see how much his life has achieved. It’s an honour to help him keep achieving things. Of course, I would still rather have my boy but his legacy is incredible and I think he would have been a bit embarrassed but chuffed with the book.”To pre-order the book click here.

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Mum Allison Barr says writing book has been 'traumatic' and 'healing'.

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