A BRAVE Evesham toddler who received life-saving treatment in America has been honoured with a Cancer Research UK Little Star award.
Adele Cooper, of Aldington, has been chosen for the prestigious honour to mark her inspirational battle with an aggressive form of the disease
The three-year-old, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma in June 2012 after doctors discovered a lump the size of a grapefruit growing in her abdomen.
Mum Vickie Cooper said: “She had been off her food so I knew something was wrong but it didn’t cross my mind that it could be cancer.
“When they told us, it was like the whole world stopped.
“I asked if I was going to lose my little girl and her consultant said ‘I am going to do my best to make sure you don’t’.”
The youngster then underwent six months of chemotherapy to shrink the tumour before she had a six hour operation at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to remove what remained.
Although surgery removed all that could be seen to the naked eye, the tumour had been so widespread doctors sent Adele to Florida for specialist radiation treatment called proton beam therapy.
She received the trophy, which has been backed by stars such as Wayne Rooney and Emeli Sandé, along with a £50 TK Maxx gift card and a certificate signed by celebrities.
Adele’s family, who have pledged to keep fund-raising for Cancer Research UK, are now hoping her story will inspire others to nominate children diagnosed with the disease.
“Now, you wouldn’t know she had ever been ill.” Vickie added.
“She is such a character she didn’t let anything get her down throughout the whole ordeal.
“We told her the Little Star Award was because she had been such a brave girl and she thought it was wonderful.
“Although her cancer has gone Adele will have to deal with side effects of treatment for the rest of her life and that is why we want to do as much as we can to fund treatments that don’t have such horrible side effects.”
The award is open to all under 18s who have cancer or who have been treated in the last five years and nominations can be made by visiting www.cruk.org/littlestar online.
And the youngster pictured now with her award. (s)
