AN award scheme recognising the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer has been launched in Warrington, supported by celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
The multi Michelin-starred chef knows the devastating impact of cancer all too well after his youngest son Valentino was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 at just six-weeks-old.
As a result of this experience, the dad-of-four is backing back the Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Awards, in partnership with retailer TK Maxx.
With around 190 children diagnosed with cancer every year in the North West, he and his partner Michelle are calling on families across Cheshire to nominate young cancer patients and survivors in the run up to Christmas.
The Star Awards are open to under-18s who have been diagnosed with the disease in the last five years.
There is no judging panel, because Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition.
Everyone nominated receives a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces, including Jean-Christophe Novelli, Nanny McPhee actress Dame Emma Thompson, This Morning’s Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker. Their siblings also receive a certificate.
Jean-Christophe watched little Valentino endure two years of intense treatment. After Michelle spotted a lump on his neck during feeding, he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a rare cancer of nerve cells that mainly affects children under the age of five. The cancer was stage four meaning it had spread around Valentino’s body.
The four-year-old is now cancer-free, but his terrifying journey has made his parents determined to do everything they can to raise vital awareness of what children with cancer face and the importance of research into new treatments.
Jean-Christophe said: “Michelle and I were not really aware of children’s cancers – it was a new area for us, but then you hear the word and it gets locked in your mind, you don’t know what is going to come next.
“We were in bits. Almost four years on, things will come to me and I will have a flashback even now. But we have been fortunate and we thank God we live in the UK with the amazing NHS.
“Knowing what Valentino went through, when we heard about the Star Awards we had no hesitation to get involved immediately. They are such a great way to show these amazing children how special they are. Now we want to help spread the word, so that across Cheshire as many children affected by cancer as possible have the opportunity to be nominated and can receive the acknowledgement they so richly deserve.”
To nominate a Star visit cruk.org/starawards
