Brave Exeter youngster Ruby is a Little Star
An Exeter youngster who has been treated for cancer had her courage recognised with a special award presented to her this week.
Alison Birkett at Cancer Research UK presented Ruby Connar, 8, from Longdown in Exeter with her special star-shaped trophy for the bravery she has shown during her cancer treatment.
Ruby has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - cancer of the white blood cells - and lost all her hair during intensive chemotherapy treatment earlier this year.
Mum Josie, explained: “The hospital staff saved my daughter’s life. If she had remained undiagnosed for just a few more weeks the likelihood is that she would have died. Ruby can now walk again and she has some semblance of her old life back.
“She remains brave and positive, despite the pain and discomfort caused by the treatment. She will continue to undergo low-level maintenance chemotherapy until February 2014.”
Cancer Research UK’s Little Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, acknowledge the unique challenges faced by youngsters who encounter cancer and raise vital funds for research into the disease.
Each and every child nominated receives the accolade. There is no judging panel because the awards aim to highlight the courage of all children who face cancer.
Josie nominated Ruby for the award. Ruby will also receive a £50 TK Maxx gift card and certificate signed by celebrities.
The awards, which celebrate the courage of all children who confront cancer, are backed by a host of famous faces including JLS, Mo Farah, Leona Lewis and Steven Gerrard.
Relatives and friends of young cancer patients or survivors from across the region are being urged to nominate them now for special recognition in the run up to Christmas.
Unlike many other children’s awards, there is no judging panel because Cancer Research UK and TK Maxx believe that each and every child who faces cancer is extra special. Recipients get a unique trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card and a certificate signed by celebrities.
Alison Birkett, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the South West, said: “Ruby is a true ‘Little Star’ who richly deserves this accolade. We hope to acknowledge the bravery of many more children like Ruby across the region and are encouraging family and friends to get nominating now.”
“It is fantastic news that by the end of 2012 around 33,000 long-term survivors of childhood cancer will be living in the UK, the vast majority of whom are cured.
“But we can’t stop there. Cancer Research UK is working towards a future where all children with cancer are cured. For despite improvements in treatment, around 250 children still lose their lives to the disease each year in the UK. That’s why we’re investing in a range of trials for children with harder to treat cancers such as neuroblastoma and brain tumours and which we hope will help to create even more tomorrows.”
In particular, huge advances have been made in the treatment of leukaemia, the most commonly diagnosed children’s cancer, with more than 80 per cent of children surviving their disease for five years or more.
The progress being made by Cancer Research UK, coupled with the determination to improve survival rates still further, inspired TK Maxx to join forces with the charity.
Together they are calling on people to show their support for children with the disease by nominating a Little Star or donating to help fund the charity’s life-saving work.
TK Maxx has supported the Little Star Awards since 2008. To date it has raised a staggering £9 million to help beat children’s cancers.
The Little Star Awards are open to all under-18s who have cancer or who have been treated for the disease in the last five years.
To nominate a Little Star visit www.cruk.org/littlestar
To donate to Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s cancers text ‘STAR58 £5’ to 70070 to donate £5 from your phone bill. Text donations are free from any network and 100% of the donation will go to the charity.
