The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Brave Chloe’s (11) charity bake sale helps to battle rare cancer
Youngster raises money for charity as she undergoes treatment
Brave youngster Chloe Baker from Glinton, who has a rare form of cancer, has been holding bake sales along with her best friend to raise money for the Children & Young People branch of Cancer Research UK.
In August last year, Chloe (11) was diagnosed with LangerhansCell Histiocytosis (LCH), aconditionthataffectsaround oneinevery200,000children a year in the UK.
LCH is a disorder in which excess immune system cells, called Langerhans cells, build up in the body. These cells helpregulate theimmunesystem and are normally found throughout the body but excess cells can cause damage tissue or cause tumours.
The condition has mainly affected Chloe in her spine andit hasleftherwithpermanentdamage, thathasrestrictedhermovement, causedpain and forced her to give up her passion for horse riding.
Her mother Rebecca said: “At first we just thought she just had a curved spine (Scoliosis) but wegotacall while on holiday to tell us she had been diagnosed with LCH and we just spent the whole weekend crying. Over the course of the last year she had lots of blood tests, MRIs and it was 50/50 whether she was going to have a biopsy. Doctors decided that would be too dangerous though and she has instead undertakenaseriesof alternativetherapiesandbeen prescribed medication. She’s been really amazing throughout it all though.”
Chloe has been supported every step of the way by her family as well as her best friend, Erin. Together they cameupwiththeideaofabake sale, made leaflets, baked the cakes and cookies and went door-to-door in Glinton and Bourne advertising their event, which took place outsidetheirhomes. Bothoftheir sisters, Hollie and Nina, also lent their support.
Theinitial goal wastoraise £100 but that to be increased to £500 after theyreached the target withease. Thankstothe generosity of neighbours, the total raised currently stands at £391. Rebecca added: “The girls came up with the idea completely by themselves. We (the parents) weren’t sure how they were going to do it, wethoughtwe’dhelpthemout a bit by buying the cakes but theysaidno, theywantedtodo all the baking themselves and they’d already made leaflets.
“The support from neighbours has been unbelievable, people have been more than generous. Some people have even come up and said they don’twantacakebutjustwant to give money.”
Chloe has plans for future bake sales to raise money for Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where she receives most of her treatment. The girls are still looking to reach their £500 target and their JustGivingpageatgofundme.com/ cnb9m-childrens-cancer