Battling back, model struck by cancer at 11
WHEN at the age of 11 she appeared in adverts for Monsoon fashions and Clarks shoes, Daisy O’Leary hoped it would be the beginning of a modelling career.
But, within months, instead of starring in TV and billboard adverts, she was fighting for her life.
Daisy suddenly lost weight and began struggling for breath.
She was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer. A grapefruit-sized tumour was discovered in her chest and Daisy underwent a year of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
Now a scan has shown that the 12year-old is in remission from the disease. Daisy will still need further chemotherapy and to have her stem cells replaced, but her mother Jules Pye said: ‘After a year-long battle this is the news we’ve been waiting for. The hardest thing for her was losing her hair, but she has been so, so brave.’
Making light of the setback to her modelling hopes, Daisy has even made a film through her mother’s production company, Rushes, to support staff at the Royal Marsden.
Miss Pye, 52, from south-east London, said she was first aware Daisy was ill after they returned from holiday in August last year.
‘By September, her condition had deteriorated. She was always so active and loved dancing,’ she said. ‘By the time the diagnosis came, she’d lost two stone.’
Daisy began four months of chemotherapy but needed radiotherapy after the cancer spread. Her body became swollen and her hair fell out.
Miss Pye said: ‘It was so tough on her. But she attended school when she could. I’m very proud of her.’
‘She has been so brave’