Meet our Little Stars

Neve Francis, aged six, from Wolverhampton, was just two years old when she was diagnosed with leukaemia on Christmas day 2007. She was treated with chemotherapy which lasted for two years but two weeks before her initial treatment finished Neve relapsed. She had further chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant in July 2010. Since then she has gone from strength to strength and is back at school full time. Mum Tracey said: “It’s absolutely amazing that Neve is still here. She had such a terrible time that we thought we were going to lose her on several occasions. Now she is doing incredibly well and getting back to normal. We feel incredibly lucky to have her.”

Eight year old Joshua Borley, from Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in 2007 when he was just 4 years old. The tumour caused his bowel to burst and he was rushed to hospital where he had an emergency ileostomy followed by intensive chemotherapy. Although Josh has had some lingering bowel problems, he has been in remission from cancer since 2008 and enjoys many hobbies, including fishing and swimming.

Ten year old Marianne Shackleton from Rawdon, West Yorkshire, has twice been diagnosed with leukaemia. Marianne, having conquered leukaemia when she was six years-old, thought she was in the clear. But then the disease returned in 2009. She underwent intensive chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant and had to be kept in isolation for three months. She is now in remission. Marianne attended the Little Stars party in 2011 and said: “I was really excited about seeing all the animals at London Zoo and meeting some of my favourite television stars at the Little Stars party. I had a great time.”

Callum Brown, 16, of Ely, Cambridgeshire, has made an exceptional recovery from a rare form of brain tumour, which was diagnosed in 2008. He endured risky surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He even went on to fundraise and help raise awareness of cancer. He is now enjoying school and spending time with his friends.