AN AWARD scheme recognising the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer is being launched today in Essex, supported by Jean-Christophe Novelli.
The multi Michelin-starred chef knows the devastating impact of cancer all too well after his youngest son Valentino was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 at just six-weeks-old.
The experience is driving the dad-of-four to back the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx.
With around 170 children diagnosed with cancer every year in the East of England*, he and his partner Michelle are calling on families across the region to nominate young cancer patients and survivors in the run up to Christmas.
The Star Awards are open to under-18s who have been diagnosed with the disease in the last five years.
There is no judging panel, because Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition.
Everyone nominated receives a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces, including Jean-Christophe Novelli, Nanny McPhee actress Dame Emma Thompson, This Morning’s Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker. Their siblings also receive a certificate.
Jean-Christophe watched little Valentino endure two years of intense treatment. After Michelle spotted a lump on his neck during feeding, he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a rare cancer of nerve cells that mainly affects children under the age of five. The cancer was stage four meaning it had spread around Valentino’s body.
The four-year-old is now cancer-free, but his terrifying journey has made his parents determined to do everything they can to raise vital awareness of what children with cancer face and the importance of research into new treatments.
Jean-Christophe said: “Michelle and I were not really aware of children’s cancers – it was a new area for us, but then you hear the word and it gets locked in your mind, you don’t know what is going to come next.
“We were in bits. Almost four years on, things will come to me and I will have a flashback even now. But we have been fortunate and we thank God we live in the UK with the amazing NHS.
“Knowing what Valentino went through, when we heard about the Star Awards we had no hesitation to get involved immediately. They are such a great way to show these amazing children how special they are. Now we want to help spread the word, so that across Essex as many children affected by cancer as possible have the opportunity to be nominated and can receive the acknowledgement they so richly deserve.”
Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults – from the types of cancer, to the impact of treatment. That’s why Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is supporting dedicated research to improve survival.
In the East of England, Professor Anna Philpott at the University of Cambridge is working on a project to find out what happens deep inside the DNA of nerve cells to make them become cancerous and develop into neuroblastoma. Her end goal is to work out exactly which signals are driving the cancer and discover how she can switch them off.
Patrick Keely, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the East of England, said: “A cancer diagnosis is heart-breaking at any age, but it can be particularly difficult for a child or young person and their families, especially when many of those who survive may experience serious long-term side effects from their treatment.
“Our Star Awards shine an important light on these inspirational youngsters, so we’re urging people to get nominating now so we can celebrate their incredible courage.”
The Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx, the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s and young people’s cancers. Since 2004, the retailer has raised over £40m for the charity. Over £37m of this total has supported research to help ensure more children and young people survive cancer with a good quality of life.
To nominate a Star visit cruk.org/starawards.
