AN AWARD scheme recognising the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer is being launched today in Wales and is supported by Dr Ranj.
There are around 130 new cases of cancer in young people each year in Wales.
Nominations for the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, supported by TK Maxx, are now open and families across Wales are being called on to nominate young cancer patients and survivors in the run up to Christmas.
The Star Awards are open to under-18s who have been diagnosed with and treated for cancer in the last five years.
There is no judging panel for the awards, because Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition.
Everyone nominated receives a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces, including This Morning’s Dr Ranj, Nanny McPhee and Last Christmas star Dame Emma Thompson, as well as children’s favourite entertainer Mister Maker. Their siblings also receive a certificate.
Dr Ranj, TV doctor and ‘Get Well Soon’ presenter, said: “I’ve been to the Star Awards Party before, and met so many amazing children and young people who have been affected by cancer. Their strength and spirit is inspiring, which is why I’m so proud to support the Cancer Research UK Children & Young People’s Star Awards again this year. I want to help raise awareness and money to improve survival and reduce long-term side effects for children and young people with cancer.”
Cassandra Miles, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People in Wales, said:
“Our Star Awards, supported by TK Maxx, shine an important light on children and young people with cancer. We know that a cancer diagnosis is devastating at any age, but that it can be particularly difficult for a child or young person and their families.
“That’s why we’re calling on families across Wales to nominate inspirational youngsters for an award, so that we can recognise their incredible courage.”
Thanks to the support of people in Wales and across the UK, Cancer Research UK’s research has helped transform survival for children’s cancers, which overall has more than doubled in the last 40 years in the UK.
In the early 1970s, 4 in 10 under 15s diagnosed with cancer survived their disease for at least five years. Today, it’s more than 8 in 10.** But there is still more to do to bring forward the day when every child and young person survives their cancer with a good quality of life.
The Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards are supported by TK Maxx, the biggest corporate supporter of the charity’s research into children’s and young people’s cancers. Since the partnership began, the retailer has raised over £34 million for research to help more children and young people survive cancer.
To nominate a child visit cruk.org/childrenandyoungpeople.
