Cancer fight Donna ready for Christmas

A Staffordshire girl who received a national award for her courageous battle against cancer is now looking forward to Christmas after undergoing 12 months of treatment.

Donna Degg, aged five, a pupil at St John's Primary School, Essington, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer affecting nerve cells, in October 2007 after persistent pain in her groin.

The Great Wyrley girl had her courage recognised by Cancer Research UK in last year's Little Star awards.

The annual Cancer Research UK Little Star Awards, in partnership with retailer TK Maxx, acknowledge the unique challenges faced by youngsters who have cancer.

Investigations at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, and Birmingham Children's Hospital revealed a tumour in her abdomen with secondary cancers in her bones and bone marrow.

Donna's mother, Sarah Trickett, said: "The doctors gave Donna a 20 per cent chance of surviving two years. The cancer was a stage four neuroblastoma, the most advanced stage of an aggressive cancer. They tackle it by trying to get rid of the secondary cancers first.

"Donna's treatment began with an 80 day course of intensive chemotherapy at Birmingham Children's Hospital. She was re-assessed after the treatment, but unfortunately it had had no effect at all.

"The doctors tried a different type of chemotherapy, and after six cycles of this treatment Donna's bone marrow was cleared of cancer."

Donna then received specialised therapy at a London hospital which involved treating her with high dose radioactive iodine.

For this she had to be isolated in a lead-lined room for four weeks. Her parents, Sarah and Alan, had to remain behind screens during their visits.

She has just had a second round of therapy and a second stem cell transplant.

Cancer Research UK wants nominations for this year's Little Star awards at the website www.cancer researchuk.org/littlestar or call Paul Wadsworth on 0113 263 6495.