The little girl who never gave up: Erin (7) stars in cancer charity’s Christmas video after two tough years of treatment
Watch Erin star in the Children’s Cancer
Unit Christmas campaign video at: belfasttelegraph.
co.uk
MEET Erin — the brave little seven-year-old spreading the message that “cancer doesn’t cancel Christmas”.
The youngster from south Belfast is the star of this year’s Children’s Cancer Unit Charity’s Christmas fundraising campaign.
Last year, Erin was experiencing first-hand how cancer can affect your Christmas, as she was treated at the Children’s Cancer Unit at the Royal for a Wilms’ Tumour.
She underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and a stem cell transplant.
She was first diagnosed in January 2017 aged five.
Her mum Michelle Donnelly (37) said a fall off the sofa at her granny’s house saved her life — as it ruptured the tumour on her kidney — and was then detected at A&E.
Michelle said: “I said to my mum, ‘I will never shout at them for jumping off the sofa again’ because it literally saved Erin’s life.”
Chemotherapy was started straight away and Erin had surgery on March 1 to have her kidney and tumour removed.
She was put on a high chemo plan with radiotherapy but relapsed in May when another tumour appeared on Erin’s neck.
Erin had to begin a more intense round of chemo and last October had a stem cell transplant — followed by more radiotherapy. The family breathed a sigh of relief when in February this year she was declared in clinical remission.
Michelle said throughout that Erin “never felt sorry for herself ” and was very brave.
“We didn’t make cancer a taboo word in our house. We explained they were bad cells and we had to try and get Erin better,” she said.
“Once she understood what she had to do, she knuckled down and never gave up. She was the strength of the family without a shadow of the doubt.”
The family paid tribute to the medical staff at the Chil- dren’s Cancer Unit.
“These people go beyond the call of duty,” she said.
Now, Erin is looking forward to spending Christmas at home — and hopes that the video gives some comfort to other families.
It tells the story of Erin’s journey to hospital and her excitement at getting home again and is a stark reminder that many young people face an anxious time as they await treatment.
Michelle said Erin’s face “lit up” when she saw the finished video — which features an animation of Erin as an elf — and that she couldn’t wait to be part of something that would help others. “She’s always had that compassionate and empathetic nature,” said Michelle.
“So she loved it and her sisters (Aleine, Ceili and Caragh) loved being a part of it too.”
She continued: “We had some very dark days last year and last Christmas wasn’t the best for us — and we had a new wee baby who came along in the middle of it.
“When I asked her (Erin) about doing the campaign, she said she would do whatever it took ‘if it helps any other kids like me’.”
Michelle added: “Erin always had a great sense of fun and it’s coming back in droves so it’s brilliant to see.”
For other families, Michelle hopes Erin is “living proof” that better times can come your way.
She said: “We know how difficult it is. And it’s very difficult for children, particularly if they have other brothers and sisters at home.
“Being in the hospital, it’s just not like Christmas — Christmas is such a precious time of year. But hopefully happier times are coming your way. And Erin is living proof of that and she is just loving life”.
The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity raises money to ensure the medical team there can provide the best possible treatment. They are urging people to organise an Erin the Elf’s coffee morning to help raise funds.
Felix Mooney, chair of the charity, said: “Like the other children and all the staff at the Unit, Erin shows that cancer does not cancel the spirit of Christmas.”