Award scheme for children with cancer launched in West Midlands

Around 150 children are diagnosed with cancer in the West Midlands every year.

The TV doctor is backing the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, which celebrate the strength shown by youngsters who have been diagnosed with and treated for cancer.

Nominations for this year’s awards are now open and people in the West Midlands are being called on to nominate young cancer patients and survivors from across the region in the run up to Christmas.

There is no judging panel for the awards because Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition.

All children nominated will receive a unique trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, T-shirt and a certificate signed by Dr Ranj and a host of famous faces, including Dame Emma Thompson, Una Healy and Aston Merrygold, as well as children’s favourite entertainer Mister Maker. Their siblings also receive a certificate.

Dr Ranj, TV doctor and ‘Get Well Soon’ presenter, said: “I’ve been to the Star Awards Party before, and met so many amazing children and young people who have been affected by cancer. Their strength and spirit is inspiring, which is why I’m so proud to support the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards again this year. I want to help raise awareness and money to help find new, better and kinder treatments for children and young people with cancer.”

Jane Redman, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens in the West Midlands, said: “The Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx, recognise young cancer patients who have survived cancer or are currently being treated for the disease.

“Cancer can have a devastating impact on their lives and many of those who survive may live with serious long-term side effects from their treatment.

“Our mission is to fund research to find new, better and kinder treatments for young cancer patients in the West Midlands, and across the UK. We want to bring forward the day when every child and young person survives cancers and does so with a good quality of life.

“We’re calling on people in the West Midlands to nominate inspirational youngsters for this year’s Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards so that we can recognise their incredible courage.”

The Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards are open to all under-18s who currently have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.

To nominate a child for an award, visit cruk.org/kidsandteens.