Little Noah's battle
Siew Peng Lee • Published 13 Apr 2012 06:06
1 Comment
A COURAGEOUS Rosyth boy battling cancer will be doing his bit to fight the disease by inspiring thousands of Fifers at the Race for Life start-line.
Nine-year-old Noah Duncan, of Burney Place, was diagnosed with orbital rhabdomysarcoma, a rare form of cancer, in May 2009 after complaining that he was seeing double and his eye became swollen.
Tests at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh revealed he had a tumour the size of a marble behind his left eye and would need immediate treatment to stop its spread.
He underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for seven months, which was successful for a time, and also received a Cancer Research UK Little Star Award for bravery.
Sadly, just two months ago, Noah's cancer returned - and he now faces further treatment, including a lifesaving operation to remove his left eye.
But Noah has stayed chirpy and positive, proud mum Brenda (37) told the Press.
She said, "We got the news of the relapse on Pancake Tuesday. We came home and were crying and Noah got angry.
"He said, 'Right, enough. Today is Pancake Tuesday, not Cancer Tuesday!' and made us pancakes.
"That's become our motto now and reminds us that every day is a good day."
She also recalled how avid reader Noah, who's in Primary 4 at Kings Road Primary, wanted to put up a quote from a 'Horrible Histories' book he was reading.
She said, "It was about Vikings and the quote was, 'To conquer the world, you have to conquer yourself'.
"I was so amazed. He's nine and he had managed to take it from its context and used it for himself.
"He understood that to keep on living he would have to live without his eye, and have to conquer himself."
Together with his five-year-old sister Hannah, Noah will now start the Race for Life on 24th June in Kirkcaldy.
His story will certainly encourage thousands of women as they get on their marks to raise millions for life-saving research into 200 types of cancer.
Brenda added, "Noah is an inspiration to us all and even though the coming months won't be easy, we know he will be brave and he is always cheerful."
As well as starting Race for Life, Noah will take part in his very own 'Race of Bravery' by jogging the 1.5km junior race at the Edinburgh Marathon in May, in aid of CCLASP (Children with Cancer and Leukaemia, Advice and Support for Parents).
On his JustGiving page, the big-hearted schoolboy wrote, "I have just started chemotherapy again and will need an operation to remove the tumour which will mean I lose my left eye.
"Despite this horrible news I still want to do the run even if I end up walking it and want to help CCLASP who have given so much help to me and my family since 2009.
"They take me to hospital with mum, dad and sister Hannah, Christmas parties, Easter and Halloween cinema trips and caravan holidays in Seton Sands and Berwick-upon-Tweed.
"CCLASP have helped me and now it is my turn even though my marble is back to help them and the families and kids just like me."
To support Noah and Race for Life, log on to www.justgiving.com/noah-duncan0 or www.racefor life.org.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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benefithater
60 posts
Apr 13, 09:34
Report commentAll the best kiddo! With a positive attitude anythings possible.
Recommend?
Yes 7
No 3
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