A YOUNG dancing champion battling a rare cancer is urging people to clear out their wardrobes and help save lives.
Nine-year-old Lily Douglas, from Perth, has won nearly 100 trophies and 200 medals but was forced to cancel an audition with Scottish Ballet in April when doctors diagnosed Ewing’s sarcoma, a type of tumour found in the bone and soft tissue. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh ahead of surgery to have a bone in her shoulder removed.
However, she has been determined to keep dancing and won the solo dance category at the UDO Scottish Street Dance Championships this summer – only two days after completing her fourth round of chemotherapy.
Now, to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, Lily has been chosen to launch Give Up Clothes for Good, a partnership between TK Maxx and Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens which raises funds for life-saving research into children’s cancers. Around 310 young people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland every year.
People are being asked to donate good quality clothing, accessories and homeware they no longer need to their nearest TK Maxx store. Each bag donated could make up to £30 when sold in Cancer Research UK stores and the money raised will help fund research to find new, better and kinder treatments for children and young people with cancer.
“I just love dancing so much and it’s my life,” said Lily. “I’ve been dancing since I was two and a half. As soon as I get a break from chemotherapy treatment then it’s getting back to dancing that makes me feel happy.
“Now I’d really like to help other children who have cancer. That’s why my mum and I will be having a good clear out at home and finding clothes and items to donate.”
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