By Sian Lower
A SCOTS girl aged just four has been given a national award for her bravery in the face of cancer.
Georgia Hillman started receiving cancer treatment aged one but even then she clapped the nurses who administered her chemotheraphy.
Cancer Research UK have recognised Georgia’s bravery by giving her a “Little Star” certificate, signed by celebrities including singer Leona Lewis, rapper Tinie Tempah and Harry Potter star Rupert Grint.
Georgia, from Dunfermline, Fife, was diagnosed with Wilm’s tumour – a form of kidney cancer – in August 2008.
She was initially taken to her GP as mum Ruth had noticed while blowing rapsberries on her stomach that it was unusually firm.
The GP then referred her to a paediatrician at Victoria Hospital, Kircaldy, and from there she was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh.
While at the hospital she had to go through various tests and scans, before having six weeks of chemotherapy, which managed to shrink the tumour and ensure it was operable.
Remission
The tumour was then removed via keyhole surgery and Georgia went through a further six months of chemotherapy and treatment.
Her mother, Ruth, 37, said: “There were a couple of times when she struggled to fight off infections that we wondered if she would make it, but we should never have doubted her.
“Even at one year old she clapped the nurses as they administered her chemo!”
Cancer Research UK gave Georgia the “Little Star” award for her bravery throughout her treatment, after her father, Ben, nominated her as a Christmas surprise.
Ruth added: “We are planning a quiet family Christmas and hoping for snow and lots of sledging.
“We’ve just received the best Christmas present – following an MRI scan earlier this month and chest X-rays, we received the news that Georgia is still in remission.
“That’s 2.5 years of being clear of cancer and we are now at the half way point for her to get the All Clear. Roll on 2014! ”
As the most common form of kidney cancer in children, around 85 youngsters a year are diagnosed with Wilm’s tumour inBritain.
The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh is one of 21 centres in the UK and Ireland taking part in research by Cancer Research UK’s ‘Children’s Cancer Trials Team’.
Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman for Scotland, said: “Georgia is a true Little Star who richly deserves this accolade.
“We hope to acknowledge the bravery of many more children like Georgia across Scotland and are encouraging family and friends to get nominating now.”
To nominate a Little Star or donate visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/littlestar. The awards are open to all under 18s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.
All pictures courtesy of Ruth Hillman Photography
