Thea is living proof that research works and it needs to continue
CANCER Research UK has helped to fund research that has changed the way patients, like Thea Sergeant, are treated – research possible thanks to the vital funding received from gifts left in wills.
Thea faced a tough course of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with a Wilms’ tumour, cancer of the kidney, in November 2004, when she was just six years old. Despite having to undergo her final chemotherapy treatment on Christmas Eve, she remained cheerful and never complained. She then had to undergo major surgery in January to have the tumour removed. She was in surgery for seven hours, as the tumour was stuck against her liver.
Thea’s weight plummeted to below three stone, but she made an amazing recovery. After having missed a full academic year, she was able to return to school and went from strength to strength.
She is now 20 and has just started a nursing degree at university (and is enjoying it), and would like to specialise in paediatric oncology.
‘Thea is living proof research works and it needs to continue,’ says her mum. ‘I’m so proud of her.’