A SOAP OPERA script surrounding an infant facing the rare childhood cancer Neuroblastoma has been praised by a Moray mum.
Gail Paterson, the mother of three-year-old toddler Eileidh who has inspired communities throughout the north east to raise over £100,000 to aid treatment in the USA that would increase her survival chances, has spoken out in support of the Coronation Street plot.
The television script this week has outlined a mother who has just discovered her five-year-old has the same form of childhood cancer – causing some viewers to criticise the soap for its “poor taste”.
Gail, however, insists that had the programme depicted such a storyline a year ago it would have let her know what Neuroblastoma was – and in a much better position to spit the signs in Eileidh.
This week Gail told the P&J: “It is going to be extremely difficult for me to watch these scenes – and I had a lump in my throat when the diagnosis was made.
“But awareness is so important, as a nation we need to be more aware of how to recognise the signs of childhood cancer and this could save a lot of lives.”
Welcoming the comments made by the Forres mum, a spokeswoman for the long running ITV show said: “It is important for us to have the support of parents like Ms Paterson and we are grateful for her comments.”