Brave Wigan schoolboy's call to nominate cancer-battling child heroes for award

Ten-year-old Lucas Thorpe is launching the Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Award, in partnership with TK Maxx.

Every child nominated receives the accolade, which is backed by a host of famous faces including chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, Nanny McPhee actor Dame Emma Thompson, This Morning’s Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.

There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. The awards are open to all under 18s who have been diagnosed with the disease in the last five years.

Lucas’s mum Jodie, 36, said: “Without the advances made in research, Lucas would not be here today. It’s a miracle he is alive.

“We are incredibly proud of his fighting spirit and determination to lead a normal life despite everything he has had to go through.

“The Star Awards are a fantastic way of recognising the courage of children like Lucas and sending a message to other families in the North West that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Lucas, who lives in Astley, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when he was just 11 months old.

He was a perfectly normal baby until he became unusually lethargic and developed repeated high temperatures, vomiting and diarrhoea when he was eight months old.

Despite repeated visits to the GP and hospital, Jodie and Lucas’s dad Dale were unable to discover what was wrong and it was suggested he could be lactose intolerant.

But after Lucas was referred to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, doctors found a mass on his bladder.

Just three days later, his kidneys failed and he had to be kept in the high dependency unit until he was stable enough for surgery.

The tumour was successfully removed from his bladder, but it had already spread to his urethra and prostate.

A biopsy revealed Lucas had rhabdomyosarcoma and it was only the second time doctors had ever seen the rare form of cancer in a baby.

Lucas was initially treated with chemotherapy. His organs were too immature to cope with standard radiotherapy, so he was referred to the USA for specialist proton beam therapy.

The family travelled to Jacksonville in 2011, but his compromised immune system led to Lucas developing pneumonia and septicaemia two days after arriving.

Lucas fought for his life in the intensive care unit and at one point, his parents were told he was not expected to last the night.

Against all the odds, Lucas did survive, despite nearly losing his right arm and leg.

He was placed in a hyperbaric chamber and leeches were used to oxygenate his blood.

The septicaemia caused Lucas to lose half of his right foot and the tips of his toes, as well as the tips of his fingers.

When Lucas was five he had a bladder augmentation, including nine-and-a-half hour surgery to create a bladder from part of his intestines and appendix which was removed to build a tube into it.

Lucas decided he wanted the operation as he did not want nappies or to wear a bag. He needed to learn to retrain his bladder and was in recovery for 14 weeks following the major surgery. Two years ago he underwent more surgery to make the bladder bigger.

He still sees the oncologist every January and has regular appointments due to the difficulties with his foot.

Despite Jodie and Dale being told Lucas would never walk, he loves playing football and boxing.

He remains in constant pain, but refuses to sit in a wheelchair.

Lucas, who has siblings Jordan, 17, and Molly, 13, is enjoying life in year five at Tyldesley St George’s Primary School.

Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People spokesperson for the North West, said: “Lucas is a real star who went through so much at such a young age.

“Cancer can have a devastating impact on children and young people and many of those who survive may experience serious long-term side effects from their treatment.

“We’re encouraging people to nominate inspirational youngsters for this year’s Star Awards, so we can recognise more children like Lucas.”

As well as a star-shaped trophy, children receive a £50 TK Maxx gift card, T-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities. Their siblings receive a certificate too.

To nominate a star, visit cruk.org/starawards

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