Three children from the same family have received a prestigious CHECT Champion award in recognition of the courage and bravery they have displayed while one of them battles against retinoblastoma.
Laurel Allen, from Falkirk, was diagnosed in May 2015. She was 22 months old at the time and started undergoing treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital (where she travels every week) to combat tumours in both her eyes.
Despite the best efforts of doctors in Birmingham, Laurel has needed to have her right eye (in which she has no vision) removed in order to save her life.
Despite the day to day challenges which face Laurel, who is now three, she strives to live life to the full with help from her two older brothers Logan, five, and six-year-old Lucas who provide their little sister with unrelenting support.
In recognition of their outstanding efforts in the face of adversity all three children have been named as CHECT Champions by the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust.
The CHECT Champion awards aim to recognise the courage, resilience and patience shown by all children affected by retinoblastoma throughout treatment and beyond.
Proud mum Laura Allen said: “Laurel has shown courage and bravery beyond her years, facing all her treatment and hospital visits with a smile on her face.
“It has been a long road that’s far from over, but she amazes us with her resilience and sheer determination to just get on and enjoy life.
“The boys never fail to surprise me. Ever since Laurel was first diagnosed they have been passed from pillar to post through friends and relatives because we’ve had to spend so much time away in Birmingham. And yet they’ve never once complained. Logan includes his sister in everything and Lucas always tries to make her laugh. They have done us proud.”
Patrick Tonks, Chief Executive of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, said: “Laurel, Logan and Lucas have been through so much over the last 16 months but they’ve shown remarkable levels of courage and resilience.
“Rb causes an immense amount of upset and disruption but they have absolutely refused to let things get on top of them. They are thoroughly deserving champions.”