Devastating blow for Chloey, 16, as cancer returns

A teenager who has beaten cancer three times in the past five years has been dealt the devastating blow that she has it again.

Canterbury Academy pupil Chloey Marshall was preparing to go back to school when routine bone marrow tests revealed she had relapsed.

The 16-year-old, who is also in a wheelchair due to a foot condition she developed when she was critically ill last year, must now undergo treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for a fourth time.

Her mum Natalie says her daughter has had no teenage life.

She said: “When is my girl going to get a break? She got the all-clear around November time; she rang the bell at the Royal Marsden Hospital to say she was better.

“But we had it confirmed at the beginning of March the leukaemia has come back.”

Chloey, who has been fundraising for a dream holiday to Majorca, has already been admitted to Great Ormond Street since relapsing and spent nine days at the QEQM Hospital in Margate with a bacterial infection. She is due to start a special drug with an 80-85% success rate at the Royal Marsden, but if it does not work she will join a trial due to begin at Great Ormond Street in June.

Mrs Marshall said: “We did have the chance to go to Washington now for the same trial, but we’re going to wait to see how the drug goes first.”

Chloey, who has put her trip to Majorca on hold, was first diag- nosed with cancer just before her 11th birthday.

“It’s just so cruel,” said her mum, who has two other children, Kelly, 28 and Bradley, 19.

“She’s had no teenage life, it’s horrible. All her friends are out here, there and everywhere.

“She’s also got to have an operation on her toes as she can’t walk for more than 100 yards.”

To donate to Chloe’s holiday fund visit www.gofundme.com/ Chloeysdreamwish

Chloey Marshall, who has been diagnosed with cancer for a fourth time, with her mum Natalie