Girl, 9, fights for life after ‘dance injury’ diagnosed as rare cancer
WHeN she suffered a sore shoulder then found a painful lump on her arm, Lily Douglas thought it was simply an injury from taking part in a dance competition.
Three weeks later she is fighting for her life after being diagnosed with a rare childhood bone cancer.
Lily, aged nine, from Perth – described by her dance tutor as an ‘explosion of energy, joy, talent and kindness’ – had shown no previous symptoms of the illness.
She started treatment on Monday at edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children after doctors discovered she has stage four ewing sarcoma, a condition developed by fewer than 30 children in the UK each year.
And her mother, Jane, last night admitted that her daughter may never dance again.
One of Lily’s dance tutors, Brooke Robertson, has begun a crowdfunding page with a goal of raising £3,000 to help her parents, Jane and Scott.
By yesterday afternoon £12,895 had been donated, only 24 hours
‘No warning, no symptoms’
since the appeal was launched, and by last night nearly £14,000 had been given.
Miss Robertson said Lily’s diagnosis was ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’, adding: ‘There was no warning, no symptoms – it came out of nowhere. Life has handed her the toughest of battles – it is such a rare form of cancer.
‘As you can imagine her family are devastated and this is an extremely difficult time for them. We would like to take some of the financial stress away from her parents, Jane and Scott, so they can concentrate on their daughter.
‘Monies will go to help with their personal finances as they take time off work, travel and accommodation to stay in edinburgh and future treatments/rehabilitation not available on the NHS.’
The popular youngster attends two dance schools in Perth and has won countless trophies and championships, as well as performing in professional theatre productions in Scotland.
Miss Robertson said: ‘She has so much to give this world and we, her dance family, are determined to help her win this battle.
‘Lily and her family will appreciate every penny. We’re behind them every step of this journey.’
Lily’s 49-year-old mother, a clothing store manager in Perth, posted online: ‘We’ve had hundreds of messages of support for Lily.
‘We are devastated and will go through the mill in the next few months but she will fight this head-on.’
Last night she added: ‘It’s all a bit surreal. Although she has been diagnosed she doesn’t feel ill. She is wondering what all the fuss is about.
‘I’ve explained that she might feel ill when the chemotherapy starts on Tuesday and she understands that she will lose her hair. The doctors said the cancer started in her legs then moved to her lungs and shoulder. But she still feels fine and has been dancing for around 30 hours a week.’
With her mother, Lily yesterday visited her school, St John’s Academy in Perth, so she could speak to her friends before returning to hospital next week.
Mrs Douglas said: ‘Dancing is everything for her. She does ballet, tap and street dancing.
‘All her friends are devastated and we have to accept that she may never dance again. They may have to operate on her legs.’
She added that she has been overwhelmed by the support and love shown since Lily’s condition became public knowledge.
Mrs Douglas said: ‘We don’t know what the future will bring.
‘I will put the money into a bank account for her. It may be that might have to go to America for further treatment.
‘It may be, depending on the way things go, that the money will be used to give her the best life possible. I can’t thank everyone enough for what they are doing.’