Exeter girl shines at Star Award Party
AN INSPIRATIONAL girl from Exeter who has survived cancer was surprised by an off-duty visit from Santa at an extraordinary party to celebrate the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer.
Nine-year-old Kacey Holland from Heavitree, was a guest of honour at the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards party, supported by TK Maxx.
The magical winter wonderland themed party was held at Santa’s ‘summer home’ in central London. It gave children and their families - some of whom have missed out on festive celebrations in the past due to cancer treatment - a memorable experience together.
Kacey enjoyed taking part in a variety of winter themed games, arts and craft activities, including making glitter baubles in an elf’s workshop.
She was also given the exciting opportunity to spend time with Santa in his grotto, where she received an early present from the man himself and met other characters from the North Pole.
Twenty one children and young people from across the UK, who have been affected by cancer, joined Kacey for the fun-filled day which also saw a performance by the hugely popular children’s TV presenter Mister Maker.
They all received a special award to recognise their strength.
Mum Carley, was at the special day with her daughter and said: “Kacey has been so brave throughout her treatment.
“Problems began when she was little and would became constipated quite often. She would sit on the toilet and cry as it was so painful for her to go to the loo.
“We were at a children’s birthday party one day and another parent commented that my daughter looked as though she was pregnant. I booked into see the doctor on previous occasions and this time I said that I wasn’t leaving the surgery until Kacey had a scan - As her mum I knew that I couldn’t let this happen any longer.”
At the end of October 2017 when Kacey was aged 7, her mum took her to the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital where she underwent a scan. Sadly, it revealed Kacey had a tumour and she was diagnosed with Wilm’s Tumour, which is a childhood cancer that affects the kidneys.
Kacey, a pupil at Lady Smith School in Heavitree, had an operation to remove the tumour and underwent chemotherapy which finished in June 2018.
She missed out on much of the Christmas fun over the festive period and despite her hair falling out Kacey didn’t want to wear a wig and dealt with her hair falling out with a brave attitude.
Mum Carley explained. “She had lovely long hair, but despite clumps of it falling out after chemo, she kept it short and knew that she would keep it short and deal with the chemo in her own way.”
Carley and her partner Colin and his daughter Tiarna (6) and son Navarda (3) also got to meet Santa too. Five months after Kacey’s chemo, mum Carley met Colin and the pair are now engaged. They are in a much stronger place then two years ago and plans are underway for their wedding next year.
At the end of the party, Carley added : “It’s been so nice to see their faces light up, they’ve had so much fun and there has been so much for them to do.
“Meeting Mr Maker has been the highlight as well as meeting Father Christmas and playing in the snow when they arrived.
“We were so proud when Kacey was called up on stage to receive her medal – we actually got a bit teary – but they’ve had a great day and it’s just been lovely to see them smiling and laughing, running around happy.”
The Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards celebrate the courage of all children and young people in the UK who have been diagnosed with cancer. Every child and young person nominated receives a trophy, a t-shirt, a certificate signed by celebrities and a £50 TK Maxx voucher.
Alison Birkett Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens spokesperson for Devon, said: “It is an absolute honour to be able to recognise the strength of youngsters like Kaceyn who have been through so much at such a young age. She is a real ‘star’.
“Cancer can have a devastating impact on children and young people, so it was a joy to see Kacey’s smile light up as she met Santa and took part in our winter wonderland themed party.
“Every year, there are around 120 new cases of cancer in children each year in the South West. Our mission is to help save the lives of more youngsters and reduce the long-term side effects they may experience, by finding new, better and kinder treatments.
“Wilms’ tumour is the most common form of kidney cancer in children. In the UK around 85 children each year are diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour.
“It was a pleasure to meet Kacey and her family – we hope they’ve had a fantastic day creating special memories together!”
Cancer Research UK’s research has helped transform survival for children’s cancers.Today, more than 8 in 10 children and young people diagnosed with cancer in the UK now survive their disease for at least five years**.
However, there is still more to be done to bring forward the day when every child survives cancer and does so with a good quality of life.
TK Maxx’s support of the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards is part of a year-round fundraising partnership including its clothing collection campaign, Give Up Clothes for Good, which takes place again this September helping to raise vital funds to help beat children’s and young people’s cancers.
Since 2004, the retailer has raised over £32 million to support Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s cancers.
For more information about the Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Star Awards or to nominate a star, visit cruk.org/kidsandteens
