A BRAVE ELGIN schoolgirl who fought and won a battle against bone cancer is urging people throughout Scotland to clear out their wardrobes – and help save more like her.
Ehryn Andrews has been treated successfully for her bone cancer – and is now supporting Give Up Clothes for Good, a partnership between TK Maxx and Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens.
Remarkable Ehryn is rallying people across Scotland to help beat children’s cancers sooner by dropping off any clothing, accessories and quality homeware they no longer need at their nearest TK Maxx store.
The seven-year-old posed with a megaphone to help highlight the message loud and clear – unwanted clothes really could save lives.
Each bag of donated items will be transformed into vital funds for research into cures and kinder treatments for cancers affecting children, teens and young adults, when they are sold in Cancer Research UK shops.
Ehryn is one of around 110 children in Scotland who are diagnosed with the disease every year, so the Andrews family know first-hand just how important new breakthroughs and discoveries are to help more young people survive.
She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2014 with doctors saying it was unlikely that she would walk again after surgery to remove the tumour. Sepsis and the side effects of chemotherapy irreparably damaged her heart and last summer Ehryn had a heart transplant at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Now Ehryn, who has recently gone back to school, has learnt to walk again against all the odds.
Mum Lyanne, a staff nurse at Dr Gray’s Hospital, said: “When we were told Ehryn had bone cancer, we were terrified that we were going to lose her – but she is such a little fighter.
“She coped with months of treatment with unbelievable bravery, strength and resilience – despite all the things she was missing out on while she was ill. My husband Ross and I are amazed by Ehryn every single day, our little girl was told she would never walk again but here she is running around and she has so much energy.
“We’re so grateful for the treatment that saved Ehryn’s life. Success stories like ours would not be possible without Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work, which in turn relies on everyone who raises crucial funds.”
Since its launch in 2004, everyone who has detoxed their cupboards or donated money in support of Give Up Clothes for Good has helped TK Maxx raise a staggering £25.5million for Cancer Research UK.
Over £21 million of this total directly funds work to help find better and kinder treatments for youngsters like Ehryn.
Lyanne added: “We are urging people across Scotland to support Give Up Clothes for Good by whittling down their wardrobes, clearing out their cupboards and dropping off as many unwanted items as they can at TK Maxx stores.
“We have already had a good de-clutter and hope others will be inspired to do the same. In doing so, we can all help Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens ensure that more children, like Ehryn, survive cancer in the future.”
Linda Summerhayes, Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens spokesperson in Scotland, said: “Thanks to research, more youngsters are surviving cancer than ever before – but there’s still so much more to do.
“The disease has a devastating impact on children, forcing them to show bravery beyond their years. Treatment can last for months, or even years, meaning long stays in hospital away from siblings and friends. Unfortunately, some children also have to face living with side-effects from their treatment which can last long into adult life.
“So we hope people across Scotland will support our mission to find cures and kinder treatments for children’s cancers. Each item of clothing donated at TK Maxx will bring us one step closer to beating the disease.”
For more information on how to support Give Up Clothes for Good and Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens, please visit cruk.org/kidsandteens.
Moray Life 2017 – thank you for supporting insideMoray’s bid to continue providing its Community News service in 2017 – we reached our main target, but we have our limited edition of 300 calendars featuring stunning Moray images from our readers. Around one third of these are already claimed through £10 pledges – claim yours now. visit our Crowdfunding Page for details.