The cancer that inspired schoolgirl to help others
WHEN Amelie Kessels was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour aged 10, one of her first plans was to start fundraising for other young cancer sufferers from her hospital bed.
Two years on, £32,000 has been raised for cancer charities via her charitable fund Amelie’s Rainbow.
The Haverfordwest schoolgirl was diagnosed with the tumour in April 2017 and immediately transferred to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff for emergency surgery to remove it.
Shortly after diagnosis, the horsemad schoolgirl decided she would like to help other children and families in the same situation and set up her charity with help from her mother Lisa.
Before starting radiotherapy, Amelie, who wants to become a vet, also donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, which makes real-hair wigs for young patients who have lost their hair.
After two years of gruelling treatment including four operations, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she is now back at Llandovery College Prep School in Carmarthenshire.
The Year Eight pupil said one of the things that helps her keep cheerful is seeing her story inspire people to fundraise for the charities which helped during her hospital stay in Cardiff.
“I did not really want money – I just wanted to raise money for these charities because so many people helped me and I wanted to make sure they could help other people” she said.
During her time in hospital, Amelie particularly enjoyed art therapy provided by Latch and the Kid’s Cancer Trust and wants to help ensure it will be provided to future young patients.
“The children on the ward became my friends and I also enjoyed the art therapy a lot. It was scary and I felt really poorly, but I am feeling much better now. It’s nice to be back at school.”
Amelie’s mother Lisa said words could not describe how she felt when she heard the words “your child has a tumour”.
She said: “Amelie had been poorly with headaches. She was incredibly fit and it came out of nowhere. She was getting headaches and they got more intense and wouldn’t go away.
“We took her to the doctor, she was diagnosed on April 4, 2017 and two days later had surgery to remove the tumour followed by six weeks of daily radiotherapy.
“We got help from the charity Latch which enabled us to stay in Cardiff with her. She set up Amelie’s Rainbow before radiotherapy started. She said she wanted to help other people.
“I am very proud of her and of my son, her brother, Hugo. Siblings can get forgotten. He is 14 now but was 12 at the time and has been looking after her and been pushed to one side and has been brilliant about it.
“It is indescribable when your child gets a diagnosis like this. It’s horrible. When you hear the words ‘your child has got a tumour,’ your life implodes. The children kept me strong.”
Amelie has also been awarded a coveted Blue Peter Gold Badge. Each year only a few children receive the badge from the children’s TV show, for showing unique bravery and citizenship.
Among those raising funds for Amelie’s Rainbow were fellow Llandovery College pupils, who held a sponsored silence, a 24-hour rowathon and other events.
All money raised for the fund goes to the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital and their supporting children’s cancer charities. Donations can be made at gofundme.com/amelies-rainbow