An Eckville teenager’s struggle with leukemia has yielded an unexpected result — his on-going friendship with the hero of TV’s Dog the Bounty Hunter show.

Thirteen-year-old Brody Chapman, who’s known for presenting other cancer-stricken children with scrapbooking kits, has had a difficult month — ­he’s had to undergo surgery to relieve a blood infection and then deal with painful post-operative complications.

Only his phone conversations with TV’s Bounty Hunter, Duane “Dog” Chapman (who is no relation) have given Brody the will to keep up his two-year fight against the disease, said his mom, Carmen Chapman.

“Dog has been wonderful,” said Carmen, who was asked to give the A&E star constant updates on Brody’s progress.

“He asked me to call him right after surgery.”

Duane also wanted to know how Brody was coping with post-operative complications, including a rash that initially resembled chicken pox, and bloody vomiting.

At one point, Carmen said Brody was at such an emotional low he didn’t want to continue with any treatments.

But Dog urged him by phone to buck-up and get better so that the teen can come see him when he arrives in Edmonton to do a show on May 28.

“All of a sudden, the light went on in Brody’s eyes,” recalled Carmen. “Dog really gave him a lift.”

Now her son is in a better state of mind and is looking forward to seeing the TV bounty hunter again.

Brody, who received a Great Kids Award from the province for his big-hearted campaign to present other child victims of the disease with scrapbooking kits, initially met Duane last year in Hawaii.

The visit, made possible by the Children’s Wish Foundation, was slotted for half an hour, but stretched into an hour-and-a-half because of the TV star’s genuine interest in Brody, added Carmen.

Duane brought his three youngest children to meet the Alberta boy in his real-life bounty hunter office. He even showed Brody some of his moves. “He showed him how he puts guys’ arms behind their back to hand-cuff them,” stated Carmen.

“He’s so family oriented, it was absolutely phenomenal.”

Carmen recently learned that her son’s friendship with Duane is unique.

Out of 1,600 kids who wished to meet celebrities through the foundation, she discovered Brody is the only one that’s had as enduring a relationship with a star. Brody is one of six children that the bounty hunter has regularly kept up with over the years, and the only Canadian.

Stacey Johnson, of the Edmonton chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation, believes Duane continues to be impressed with how giving Brody has been to other children with cancer.

Carmen said she feels “blessed” that Dog has stayed a part of Brody’s life because he’s helped her son though some tough times.

The teenager with a weakened immune system is now fighting a cold, but he added his TV hero “is cool . . . and he keeps in touch.”

While Duane’s given Brody an emotional boost when needed, the Eckville resident has done the same for many other children who are battling cancer.

Earlier this year, he created a YouTube video urging others with the disease to not give up. Carmen said she’s also seen her son hold the hands of frightened children to show his support during their chemo treatments in hospital.

Brody has also given out free scrapbooking kits to more than 500 children. “We don’t turn anyone down,” added Carmen, who noted her son’s effort has gone national and international.

Brody’s Scrapping with Cancer scrapbooking kits each cost $65. The kits are made possible in part by Candlelighters of Canada, donations and fundraising. More information is available at www.scrappingwithcancer.ca

lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com