Brave Tegan ready to Race for Life

Buy photos » Inspirational schoolgirl Tegan-Lea Kemp and her mum Gail will be running this weekend's Race for Life. Picture by Marcus Mingins 2512001MMR. Order this picture at www.buyphotos247.com

A YOUNG girl from Worcester who has shown remarkable courage in her battle to overcome a rare form of cancer is preparing to celebrate the fifth anniversary of her being given the all clear.

Tegan-Lea Kemp was just six years old when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2007 - a type of cancer more commonly found in adults.

But to the amazement of her family and close friends the youngster took it all in her stride as she bravely faced up to six months of gruelling chemotherapy and constant blood transfusions at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Her courage even earned her a Little Star award from Cancer Researh UK in 2010.

Now 11-years-old, the Perdiswell Primary School pupil is preparing to celebrate a milestone in her journey of recovery by joining about 3,000 women of all ages taking part in Sunday's Race for Life on Worcester Racecourse, in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Her mum Gail said: “When Tegan first came out of hospital we just wanted to put it all behind us and move on with our lives. We didn’t even talk very much about what she had been through - we just wanted her to have a childhood."

“Because we kept it all very low-key, a lot of people didn’t even know Tegan had had cancer. When they found out on facebook that she was doing Race for Life because she was a survivor herself, they were absolutely amazed. To look at her now, you would never know she had been ill."

The mum of five added: “I am incredibly proud of her, and will be with her every step of the way, as will many of our friends and family.

"It’s going to be an emotional day seeing her cross the finish line, but she is so excited about taking part - she just can’t wait.”

Tegan has made an amazing recovery and has written about her experiences in hospital on her justgiving page.

She describes the friendships she made with other children on the cancer ward, and her feelings when they passed away which inspired her to take part in the Race for Life.

Tegan said: “The children who weren’t as lucky as me have stayed in my mind for the last five years and that is why I am going to do the Race for Life, to help children and adults with this terrible illness and to give them too a second chance.”

To sponsor Tegan visit her justgiving page www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/GailandTegan

Her family are also planning a huge fund-raising day called Tegan's Wish on July 28 at the Archdale's Club on Windermere Drive. To find out more visit the Tegan's Wish page on Facebook.

People can still register for this weekend's Race for Life up until midnight on Thursday (June 21) by calling 0871 641 1111.

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