TOUCHED HARRY...NOW GRANT ANNA’S WISH?
OSTEOSARCOMA is an incredibly rare type of bone cancer which is typically diagnosed in teens and young people, although it can affect adults.
But the main problem with sarcoma cancer on the whole is how rare it is.
Richard Davidson, chief executive of Sarcoma UK said: “You will often find that a GP has never seen a sarcoma before, if they see one it will probably be the only one in their career. And it isn’t their fault, but because it is so rare, it is often spotted and diagnosed when there is little that can be done because it is too late.
“The earlier the diagnosis, the better the chance, particularly with sarcoma.” It is for this reason that next week the charity launches its Loneliest Ever Cancer campaign to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms to look for.
Richard said statistics show that 75 per cent of people don’t know what a sarcoma is. He added: “Because it is rare, when someone is diagnosed it is difficult for patients and their loved ones to meet others going through the same.”
There are around 200 sub-types of sarcomas known about, but with osteosarcoma there are around 670 diagnoses in the UK every year. For more information visit www.sarcoma.org.uk drove home and tried calling my husband Ian on repeat. I knew he was on a flight but it didn’t stop me calling over and over.
“I put on a brave face for all three girls, saying the arm needed more investigation. How do you say the word cancer?”
Two-and-a-half years of treatment started for Anna – starting with three months of chemotherapy to fight the cancer which was rated as high-grade because of the size of the tumour and how aggressive it was.
The brave youngster lost her hair during the first round of treatment. Keeley said: “It is like wearing a sign ‘My child has cancer’. She had beautiful hair and it broke me, but she took everything in her stride.”
Anna then underwent innovative 10-hour surgery to remove the tumour, which took up the space of her entire upper arm.
“Doctors removed her humerus bone, and said the cancer had essentially turned it soft. It wasn’t even a bone, that’s why it hadn’t hurt when she fell on it. They then replaced it with her fibula bone which they removed from her leg.
“When she woke up, coincidentally on her sixth birthday, she had to learn to use her arm and learn to walk again.”
More chemotherapy followed and in May 2018 she was told she was in remission. But sadly this didn’t last long and Anna’s cancer returned in November.
She fought it with more chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and again made it back into remission, where she is now. Mum Keeley continued: “Our everyday life has changed though because she still has a compromised immune system so this week for example, Anna can’t be in school – which she loves – because there is a sick bug going around.
“Since her treatment started, people often say to me ‘I don’t know how you do it’. But the truth is, we weren’t given a choice.’
Anna met Prince Harry when he visited the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford earlier this year as part of his royal duties, and won him over with a present for the new baby.
Keeley said: “Anna was one of five who got to meet Prince Harry.
“I think he was quite taken with her, he was so lovely. She really enjoyed meeting him.”
Other famous faces to lend support is What More Can I Do? singer Jack Savoretti, actor David Tennant, and the Renault F1 team.
The family’s friends and family in the community of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, are doing all they can to fundraise with cake sales, calendars and even sponsored dog walks.
So far they have raised around £60,000.
Keeley said: “Everyone has been just simply amazing. Our sincerest, heartfelt thanks to everyone who has and may support us in the future.we are truly grateful.
“But the fact remains, we are still miles away, and I am terrified every single day.”
‘We’ve weeks to get treatment’