Family plea over World Cancer Day

Harlie Hepburn was awarded a Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Star Award to honour her bravery

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A MUM and her three-year-old daughter have called on Oldhamers to unite for World Cancer Day after they both battled against the disease.

Little Harlie Hepburn (3) was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour - a form of kidney cancer - in September 2016, just one year after her mum had finished skin cancer treatment.

The Failsworth-based pair urged residents to play their part by fundraising or wearing a Cancer Research UK unity band on Saturday, February 4.

Mum-of-three Natalie Hepburn (41) said: "Just as we thought things were looking up after I'd been told I was cancer free, we were hit with the news that Harlie, our baby girl, had cancer.

"It was a major shock - she was only two years old. She had crawled onto my knee and fallen asleep. When she rolled over I felt a lump on her tummy. I was shocked and really scared but I didn't ever think it could be cancer."

Natalie, accompanied by her mum took Harlie to A&E at North Manchester General Hospital while husband Richard looked after their two older daughters.

Doctors performed an ultrasound and discovered a lump on Harlie's right kidney which they thought was cancer.

Natalie added: "When the doctor said the word cancer I don't remember what happened because I just burst into tears and said 'I don't want to lose her'.

"My mum was really upset too and when my husband arrived after we'd been at hospital for over five hours, he saw our faces through the window and burst into tears as well. He knew from our expressions it was bad."

PAW Patrol fan Harlie, who loves to play with her big sisters Lexie (8) and Brodie (6), was moved to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital the next day. A second ultrasound, CT scan and biopsy followed as doctors tried to establish what the lump was. On October 3, Harlie was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour - a cancer which affects around 80 children in the UK each year.

Four weeks of chemotherapy ensued to shrink the tumour during which time Natalie decided to shave off Harlie's long blonde hair.

The brave three-year-old underwent a five-hour-long operation to remove her kidney on November 11.

Natalie said: "When the surgeon said 'it's good news' I cried with relief. Harlie did so well after the operation - she surprised everyone. She wore her Super Girl pyjamas in hospital.

"She fought so bravely and always had a smile on her little face - even after hours of surgery. She embraced losing her hair and was never embarrassed."

On December 19, Harlie rang a special bell at the hospital to mark the end of her cancer treatment, just in time for Christmas. Around the same time she was awarded a Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Star Award in honour of her bravery.