‘Smiler’ Alicia is a real star

Alicia Stott . . . ambassador for Cancer Research UK

A CAMPAIGN to recognise the bravery of children battling cancer has named Shaw youngster Alicia Stott as one of its greatest ambassadors.

The eight-year-old was chosen as one of Cancer Research UK’s “Little Stars” just months after she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

And as a long and difficult two years of treatment with chemotherapy, steroids and antibiotics nears its end, her mother, Donna, spoke to Marina Berry about the undeniable courage of her daughter.

LITTLE Alicia Stott has proved a tower of strength to her family.

Devastated when the youngster was diagnosed with leukaemia, they rallied to give her the support she would undoubtedly need.

But it was her stoicism in accepting what was happening, and the aggressive treatment she had to undergo to stand a chance of beating it, that stands out in the memory of her mother, Donna.

“Alicia was only six and she was so brave,” she said. “She accepted everything the doctors said, that she was poorly and what she had to do.

“She had to take a lot of drugs which made her very ill, and she lost her hair a couple of times, but she just did it.”

It was Alicia’s unstinting courage and positive attitude which prompted Donna to nominate her for a Cancer Research UK Little Star award six months after her diagnosis.

“I came across it on the internet and I thought what a lovely idea,” said the 38-year-old.

“All the children nominated got an award. There was no competition and no judges, it was deemed that they all deserved to be a little star.

“It definitely gave Alicia a boost at a time when she really needed it. The star is lovely, and she still gets it out of the box every now and then to look at it.

“The awards highlight just how special and brave these children are, and their siblings also get certificates to acknowledge their bravery and help,” said Donna.

Alicia has a brother Josh, who was four when she was diagnosed, as well as twins Adam and Olivia, who were nine months old, and an older sister, Lorna, now 22.

“It’s so hard on the siblings, it completely changes their lives as well,” said Donna.

“All of a sudden mum is hardly ever home. They don’t understand and they get scared, and it’s lovely that they are recognised for what they have gone through too.”

The family’s nightmare began in early 2008 when six-year-old Alicia fell ill — she had a temperature, was very tired and aching.

Doctors said she had a virus, but when she failed to get better after several weeks, her mother insisted on blood tests.

“Within half an hour of getting home the doctor rang and said she was extremely anaemic and needed a blood transfusion, and there was a bed waiting for her at the Royal Oldham Hospital,” said Donna.

But as her eldest daughter had an unexplained bout of anaemia when she was in her early teens, she wasn’t overly worried.

But less than an hour after arriving at hospital, doctors dropped the bombshell that Alicia had suspected leukaemia, and she was being transferred to Pendlebury Children’s Hospital.

“It was a total shock, I just felt numb,” recalled Donna.“It was like a whole new world, one I never knew existed, and it was so difficult. Your child is your main priority, but it’s impossible to have blinkers on and not see what other children are going through. It’s heartbreaking.”

Alicia was in hospital for a month, most of which her mother spent by her side.

“It’s a rollercoaster of feelings, and you can’t help but get involved in the lives of other parents, some of whom have become friends for life — people whose paths we would never have crossed if this hadn’t happened,” said Donna.

The Crompton Primary School pupil has been on a long journey, bombarded with drugs which at times left her so weak she had to use a wheelchair.

She still has chemotherapy drugs every day — which are due to end in April — as well as steroids five days a month which often leave her depressed, and antibiotics every weekend to combat the side effects of other drugs which leave her prone to infectio.

But the courageous youngster’s remarkable cheerfulness led to her being nicknamed “Smiler” by everyone involved in her care.

She is looking forward to ending the drugs regime, and has now grown a thick head of hair.

Her mother said: “She was so excited when we went shopping for clips and bobbles, she has not been able to wear them for a long time.”

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK’s regional spokeswoman, praised Alicia for her exceptional bravery, and said: “She richly deserved her Little Star award.”

Urging Oldhamers to make nominations, she said: “It allows us to recognise the unique challenges faced by youngsters diagnosed with cancer and salute their courage.

“Alicia is a fantastic ambassador for Cancer Research UK and her bravery is typical of that shown by all the Little Stars and their families.”


Now in their seventh year, the Cancer Research UK Little Star awards, run in partnership with clothing retailer TK Maxx, recognise anyone under the age of 18 who is battling cancer or who has undergone treatment for the disease in the past five years.

The closing date for nominations is February 28, and the first 300 nominations will receive a £50 TK Maxx gift card, a chrome trophy and a certificate signed by a host of stars from TV, music and sport.

To make a nomination, email littlestar@cancer.org.uk or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/littlestar