Posted on 21st Dec
An award scheme recognising the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer has been launched in Nottinghamshire.
Around 120 children are diagnosed with cancer in the East Midlands every year.
Nominations for the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, are now open and families across Nottinghamshire are being called on to nominate young cancer patients and survivors in the run-up to Christmas.
The Star Awards are open to all children under 18 who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years.
There is no judging panel, 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 celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.
Calling for Star Award nominations in Nottinghamshire, children’s TV presenter Phil Gallagher, of Mister Maker, said: “The strength these young people show when faced with a cancer diagnosis is remarkable, and that’s why I’m supporting the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards again this year. Their courage and resilience needs to be honoured, and the Star Awards are such a lovely way of doing that and showing them how special they are.”
Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults, from the types of cancer, to the impact of treatment. That’s why Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is supporting dedicated research to help ensure more youngsters survive cancer with a good quality of life.
Helping to transform survival is the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, one of the many centres across the UK taking part in ground breaking clinical trials coordinated by Cancer Research UK’s Children’s Cancer Trials Team. These trials make innovative new treatments available to children with cancer in Nottingham/across the region.
One of the trials is finding out what the best possible treatment options are for children and young adults with a type of brain tumour called ependymoma. Another is searching for the best treatment for young people and adults whose germ cell tumours have come back, or who treatment has stopped working for. In the TIGER study, the team will compare standard chemotherapy (the chemotherapy that’s usually given) with a higher dose to identify which is best for patients.
Through the Star Awards, the charity hopes to raise awareness of some of the challenges faced by young people with cancer which its scientists are working to tackle.
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Nottinghamshire, Nicki Embleton, said: “As we mark our 20th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the progress made in the fight against the disease, but there’s still much further to go. A cancer diagnosis is heart-breaking at any age, but it can be particularly difficult for a child or young person and their families – especially when many may experience serious long-term side effects from their treatment.
“Our Star Awards shine an important light on these inspirational individuals, so we’re urging people to get nominating now so we can celebrate their incredible courage.”
The Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx, the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s and young people’s cancers. Since 2004, the retailer has raised over £43m for vital research to help improve survival and reduce the long-term side effects of treatments.
To nominate a star visit cruk.org/starawards
