ENGLAND captain Wayne Rooney is urging Globe readers to support an awards campaign celebrating the courage of children living with cancer in Wirral.
Cancer Research UK's Kids & Teens Star Awards are open to all under-18s who have been treated for the disease in the last five years.
Urging our readers to nominate, Wayne Rooney said: "As a father I find it almost impossible to imagine the impact of being told your child has cancer.
"Over the years I've met many youngsters being treated for this horrible disease and every time their courage, positivity and determination touch my heart.
"To me every one of them is a hero in the true sense of the word.”
Zackary Richmond, from Moreton, with his Star Award
Previous Star Award winners include four-year-old Zackary Richmond, from Moreton, who nominated by mum Alison.
He was diagnosed with Wilms' Tumour in November 2014, after more than six months of going to the doctors with constipation and high temperatures, which were initially put down to a viruses.
It is one of the most common forms of kidney cancer in children, with around 80 diagnosed each year.
Mum Alison said: "We have a memory box for Zackary which the Star Award will go into.
"It's so when he's older we can show him what a big part of his life this was.
"When you hear the words 'your child has got cancer' you just break down.
"But I had to stay strong for Zack. He’s not shown any upset throughout the whole of the journey. He’s just got on with it."
The shocking diagnosis was confirmed after an ultrasound scan at the accident and emergency ward at Arrowe Park Hospital. It was confirmed after a biopsy at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
The tumour was removed during surgery last year, along with the affected kidney and part of his central vein because the cancer had started to spread.
He is now in remission but has scans every three months.
The family have suffered a few scares along the way - when his temperature soared or he needed blood transfusions - but he’s recovering well and has just started at Eastway Primary School in Moreton.
Ten years ago around 330 children in the UK died from cancer each year but, thanks to better treatments, this has now declined to around 260 every year.
Alison Barbuti, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson for Wirral, said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see that, thanks to research, we’re losing fewer and fewer young lives to the disease.
“But we must make faster progress to ensure more children survive and can lead a full life after their diagnosis.
“Cancer has a devastating effect on youngsters. Treatment can last for months or even years, forcing children to show bravery beyond their years.
"It is a privilege to be able to recognise their courage with a Star Award and we would like to encourage anyone who knows an inspirational child to nominate them now.”
To nominate a child for an award, visit cruk.org/kidsandteens
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here