Haircut brings joy to cancer survivor
Jan 14 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal
A FIVE-year-old who has survived three forms of cancer in her short life has celebrated in unusual style.
Emily Clark, who lives in Chapel Park in Newcastle, has been treated to her first haircut after undergoing months of intense chemo and radiotherapy.
The Knoplaw Primary School pupil had her kidney removed in July 2005 after being diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour, but a year later, during a routine check-up, doctors discovered another two tumours where her kidney once was and at the bottom of her spine.
Her father Stuart, 36, said his daughter has been an inspiration to all who know her.
He said: “She’s in remission so things are going well now. We do have to keep on going back for particular checks and scans. We’re just keeping our fingers crossed – we’re keeping everything crossed.
“We have always been a close family. It just changes your outlook on life. You want to wrap them up in cotton wool but we have to refrain from doing that.
“Of course we hope it doesn’t return but no-one can give us that guarantee, no cancer sufferer can get that guarantee unfortunately. We don’t look at things like that, we look at the short term, we don’t look at the long-term any more.
“It was a horrible year last year.
“She’s back at school thankfully and she loves it, she loves being part of a group.
“She has had an excellent report and she’s very well-liked at school. You can imagine what it’s like with all of the older kids mothering her.”
Next month, Emily will travel with her father, mother Claire, 30, and younger sister Lily, one, to Center Parcs for their first family holiday.
Mr Clark, a printer’s assistant, said his daughter remained brave throughout her treatment at Ward 16 of the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. He has been inspired by her fight to raise funds for the North of England Children’s Cancer Research Charity.
He added: “She was told what treatment she received and what was going to happen. She was an inspiration to everyone and these were hard times for her.
“She had her first hair cut last week, which she was over the moon with. It sounds different that a five-year-old has never had a haircut. But it was only a year into remission that she lost it again.
“We would just like to thank Ward 16 at the RVI for everything they have done. She has kept all the nurses entertained with her smiling.”
