Saif Mubarak was just five when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma – a type of bone cancer – in 2021, when doctors found a tumour the size of a golf ball growing on his right knee.
He is one of five children from across the UK – aged between five and nine – who shared their cancer experiences with Coelho to help create the new work: ‘Courage
Looks Like Me.’*
The poignant piece has been published to launch this year’s
Cancer Research
UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, which pay tribute to children like Saif.
The eight-year-old, who received the accolade earlier this year, was asked by Coelho what courage looked and felt like to him – providing the poet with a revealing insight into his world.
The touching imagery conjured by Saif informs some of the most powerful lines in the new poem, where courage is described as: “a fully charged battery living on the edge of uncertainty”; “being my best for my future self”; and “a battle of gladiators, their
swords clashing to be free.”
Commenting on the experience, Saif’s mum, Romana, said: “It meant a lot to be part of the poem. Saif was keen to think of the words and it allowed him to explore his experience in his own way and in his own words. It gave him space to speak about his journey
and say how he really feels. We might assume children think the same as we do, but they don’t. This poem helped him to express himself and what he has been through.
“Now we hope the poem will resonate with other families of children affected by cancer and help spread the word about the Star Awards. Saif’s award gave all of us such a boost after everything he’s experienced – and now we’ll have the poem to look back on and
treasure too.”
Saif was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in December 2021 after Romana noticed he kept getting a temperature and was very unwell. He was tired and really struggling to walk, which was very out of character.
After going to the GP, they were sent to A&E and then the doctor explained that they had found a tumour growing on Saif’s right knee. Within weeks, Romana says she saw an innocent five-year-old turn into a young man as Saif went armed with a set of questions
for the doctors for every appointment. He received weekly chemotherapy, but in week 12 of his treatment doctors began to discuss removing his leg. Romana says Saif was completely matter of fact about it and instructed the doctors himself to “take it off.”
Saif underwent a six-hour operation and in the morning when the doctor arrived to see him, he asked him, “What did you see when you chopped my leg off?” ”What have you done with the leg now?” Romana reports he was soon scooting off down the ward and talking
to other children about it.
She said: “Saif has not allowed his amputation to stop him from reaching his goals and his future. He has joined a running club and wants to run on his blade. He is playing football too, which is good for balance, movement and being healthy. We’re so proud
of him.”
The Star Awards help to highlight some of the unique challenges faced by youngsters like Saif that Cancer Research UK is working to tackle through developing more effective and less toxic treatments. The charity’s scientists are driving forward progress to
help ensure more children and young people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. And thanks to some of their breakthroughs, children’s cancer survival in the UK has more than doubled since the 1970s.**
Cancer Research UK played an important role in the clinical trials of cisplatin, a type of chemotherapy used to treat many different types of cancer including osteosarcoma.
In the London NHS region, around 530 children and young people are diagnosed with the disease every year*** and Cancer Research UK is calling for more nominations for the Star Awards from across the city.
The awards are open to all under 18s who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years. There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition.****
Former Children’s Laureate, Coelho – for whom this was the first time working with children diagnosed with cancer – wholeheartedly agrees. He explained about writing the poem: “I was surprised by the children’s contributions. They came up with some beautifully
poetic, sincere, emotive language and I learnt so much from their imaginative and moving choice of imagery. They blew me away; they’re all poets. There’s a maturity that sets them apart, because of what they’ve been through.
“I felt that I was hearing stories and reading words and ideas that came from a deep well of experience. They were willing to talk about their strengths, but also their challenges too and that’s a particularly difficult thing for any of us to do – to talk about
the times where we’ve been vulnerable.
“The Star Awards are a brilliant initiative and I’m proud that our poem can play a part in raising awareness so that more children like Saif – in London and across the UK – can be recognised for their courage and resilience in the face of cancer. I hope as
many people as possible will get nominating in the run up to Christmas and help show these incredible children how special they are.”
The Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx. Everyone nominated receives a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces, including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s
TV favourite Mister Maker. Siblings are also awarded a certificate.
Nominate a child for a Star Award at cruk.org/starawards
