Cancer children's courage earns star status
The courage of children across the UK who’ve encountered cancer is to be recognised with a unique award, backed by celebrities including Leona Lewis and David Tennant.Cancer Research UK has launched its annual Little Star Awards in partnership with TK Maxx.
And relatives and friends of young cancer patients or survivors from across the UK are being urged to nominate them now for special recognition in the run up to Christmas.
Unlike other children’s awards, there is no judging panel because Cancer Research UK and TK Maxx believe each and every child who confronts cancer is extra special.
Each Little Star will receive a £100 TK Maxx voucher, a chrome trophy and a certificate signed by a host of stars from the worlds of TV, music and sport.
Cancer Research UK is the UK’s largest single funder of research into children’s cancers. With a spend of £9 million a year, this investment has helped bring about huge advances in treatments. Seven out of 10 youngsters with cancer are now successfully treated in the UK, compared with less than three out of 10 in the 1960s.
That progress, coupled with determination to improve survival rates still further, inspired TK Maxx to get together with Cancer Research UK, who they have partnered with since 2004, to create the ‘Together for Kids’ fund, to help beat childhood cancers. The company has already raised a staggering £3 million for the fund this year.
Martin McGlown, Head of Regional Press & Patient Liaison at Cancer Research UK, said: “The Little Star Awards – now in their sixth year - allow us to recognise the unique challenges faced by youngsters diagnosed with cancer and salute their courage.
“We are delighted that Little Stars will this year have £100 to spend on toys, books or fashion as part of TK Maxx’s wider commitment to supporting children with cancer.”
Jo Murphy, Head of CSR at TK Maxx, said: “The Little Star Awards are a fantastic way of recognising the courage of children who face a diagnosis of cancer and the support they receive from families and friends. We’ve supported Cancer Research UK since 2004 and are very pleased to be involved with the Little Star Awards this year.”
Cancer is the most common cause of death from illness in children aged between one and 14. Each year, about 1,400 children in the UK are diagnosed with the disease.
Other celebrities supporting Cancer Research UK’s Little Star Awards include Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton, Arsenal FC stars Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy, Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson and children’s TV presenter Zoe Salmon.
To nominate a Little Star email littlestar@cancer.org.uk or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/littlestar
The awards are open to all under-17s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.
11 November 2008
Win a Dear John DVD and goodies
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