A TEENAGER battling cancer has won a national award for bravery.
Hannah Jones, who turned 18 last month, is the winner of a 2011 WellChild Award and will travel to London with dad Steve, mum Dianneand sister Molly, at the end of August to collect her prize.
The Christleton High School student was nominated for the award by Luke Tillen, who runs the Torbay Holiday Helpers Network. Hannah and her family were the first to benefit from a holiday with the charity which was formed in 2009.
Hannah said: “I was shocked when I found out. It’s so nice that he nominated me. Luke is such a kind and selfless person – he’s really amazing.”
Hannah, who has a cancerous brain tumour, was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the category of Bravest Young Person, 16+ years.
The awards, run by WellChild, the national charity for sick children, celebrate the courage of children coping with serious illnesses or complex conditions. Hannah, who is receiving treatment in Liverpool, said: “I’ve been given the award for bravery but I’ll be accepting it on behalf of everyone with cancer. They are all brave – it’s not just me.”
The awards ceremony is at the InterContinental London Park Lane hotel on August 31 and organisers promise a host of celebrities.
“We haven’t been told yet who will be there but Prince Harry is the patron of the charity,” said Hannah.
Hannah was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August 2008. She has had three operations to remove the 7cm tumour, six weeks of radiotherapy and more than 12 months of intensive chemotherapy.
During the third operation Hannah had a stroke, which initially left her paralysed down her left side, but thanks to intensive physiotherapy and a lot of hard work, Hannah learnt to walk again. She has been left with left-sided weakness, but this hasn’t stopped her from enjoying life and raising more than £140,000 Alder Hey's Imagine Appeal Oncology Fund and the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.
Luke said: “Hannah is an amazing young lady who is determined to make positive changes and help others in the same situation she finds herself in.
She is such an inspiration and she refuses to be beaten. I can not think of a more deserving person to receive such an award.”
Hannah was Champion of Champions in the Trinity Mirror Cheshire/Scottish Power Your Champions awards last year. To nominate someone for the 2011 awards turn to page 37
