Teen backs star awards

TEENS STAR . . . Oldham College pupil Melissa Sutton

A BRAVE Oldham school pupil is backing a special award to honour young cancer survivors.

Oldham College pupil Melissa Sutton (17) formerly received cancer treatment for Ewing's sarcoma, a malignant tumour found in the bone or soft tissue.

The teenager received the Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Star Award following her treatment in 2014 and is now supporting this year's awards, in partnership with TK Maxx.

A special ceremony took place on Thursday, November 17 to honour under-18s who have cancer or who have been treated for the disease.

The charity released new figures to coincide with the occasion which show that children's cancer death rates have dropped.

Greater Manchester spokeswoman for the charity Alison Barbuti said: "It is a privilege to be able to recognise the courage of children with cancer with a Star Award and we would like to encourage anyone who knows an inspirational youngster to nominate them."

The number of children dying from cancer in the North West has fallen by 25 per cent since the early 2000s according to the charity.

Death rates for under 15s in the North West have decreased from around 28 deaths per million a decade ago to around 21 deaths per million today.

Ms Barbuti added: "Although we're losing fewer young lives to cancer, a lot more needs to be done to find new and better treatments.

"And as more children survive cancer, it's especially important that we concentrate on improving their quality of life after treatment.

"Many children who survive cancer will live with long-term side effects from their treatment which may have an impact on them as adults.

"So it's vital that we find treatments that are not only better at treating the cancer but also have fewer side effects.

"Cancer Research UK's investment in clinical trials for children with cancer has been a major factor in developing today's treatments and it's pivotal to ongoing research that will offer new hope to children with cancer and their families."

Around 175 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in the North West.

Relatives and friends are urged to nominate young cancer patients and survivors who deserve special recognition for the charity's awards in the run-up to Christmas.

Strictly star and Olympic medallist Greg Rutherford, professional dancers Karen and Kevin Clifton and television's Mister Maker are supporting the presentations.

Mr Rutherford said: "Every child that has to face cancer is a star in their own right."

Recipients are given a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card and a certificate signed by celebrities.

To nominate a child visit cruk.org/kidsandteens.