Ysabella a star turn at marathon launch

Ysabella Strudwick — a special star to help light the way forward

FIVE-YEAR-OLD Failsworth cancer survivor Ysabella Strudwick today brought some extra special sparkle to the festive season as she helped to launch Cancer Research UK’s night-time walking marathon, Shine.

The tot was one of four children who have battled cancer, and who were picked to hang a shining star on Manchester Town Hall’s Christmas tree to mark the official countdown to the event.

It takes place on the Bank Holiday Sunday, May 1, when fund-raisers hope it will top this year’s figure of £1.7 million.

It will be the second year that Manchester will be illuminated as participants take to the city streets in an inspirational procession of light.

The charity is urging people from across the region to take inspiration from Ysabella and recruit friends, family and colleagues to take part.

Shine symbolises the light Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists bring to the lives of people of all ages affected by cancer through life-saving research.

Ysabella was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2005 when she was just five months old.

She was rushed to Pendlebury Children’s Hospital where she underwent six months of chemotherapy treatment.

The Mather Street Primary School pupil, who has three brothers and two sisters, completed her treatment in February, 2006, and is now in remission, but continues to have check-ups every six months.

Her mother, Sarah Strudwick (35) recalled: “We were devastated when we were first given the news Ysabella had leukaemia.

“It was very difficult watching her go through all the treatment, and she was very poorly at one point, so much so that the doctors weren’t sure if she would make it.

“But here we are, five years on, and Ysabella is a bright, bubbly and very happy little girl, and doing really well.”

Doctors have since delivered the family another blow, after discovering that Ysabella has a hole in her heart, which they think she has had since birth.

Sarah added: “Thankfully the hole in Ysabella‘s heart doesn’t seem to be causing her any problems, although she does get tired easily.

“After everything Ysabella has been through it’s fantastic to see her so happy and full of life. She is such an inspiration and we’re all so proud of her.”

People must be aged 13 or over to take part in Shine’s full or half-marathon route.

For more information or to book a place, visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/shine