Super Ted’s cancer fight earns him a Little Star (From Basildon Recorder)

Super Ted’s cancer fight earns him a Little Star

11:00am Tuesday 24th February 2009

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AN AMAZING toddler has shown he is a real life super Ted by being honoured for his courage in battling leukaemia.

Ted Drummond, 18 months, has received a Little Star award from the national charity Cancer Research UK.

Ted, of Park Close, Wickford, was diagnosed with cancer last March, but despite a year of gruelling treatment he has continued to shine.

The annual Cancer Research UK Little Star Awards, in partnership with fashion store TK Maxx, acknowledge the unique challenges faced by youngsters who confront cancer.

Ted was nominated by his mum Sarah.

She said: “Ted has endured pain and suffering I don’t think many adults could comprehend.

“He does so with an incredible sense of humour and an enormous belly laugh!”

As part of his award, Ted has been given a chrome “star” trophy and a certificate signed by celebrities including F1 ace Lewis Hamilton and XFactor winner Leona Lewis.

The first signs of Ted’s illness emerged when he was just six-months-old.

He was an early developer and often pulled himself up on furniture.

But then he started falling over and eventually stopped moving or even sitting up. He was pale and began screaming in pain.

Sarah and husband John, took Ted to the doctor and were at first told he had an ear infection. However, a diagnosis of Infantile Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia was confirmed soon afterwards.

Within 24 hours Ted was in Great Ormond Street Hospital undergoing his first round of chemotherapy.

Sarah said: “My father has leukaemia, although a different type, so it was something that was in my mind. But it was still an awful shock when they confirmed that was what Ted had.”

Ted has since had four cycles of intensive chemotherapy, including one which meant he had to stay in hospital for 71 days.

The family spent the whole of the summer in hospital and missed their holiday as Ted was too ill to travel.

They also spent Christmas in hospital as Ted was fighting infections.

The brave tot has now finished his intensive treatment and is doing well, although he will have to continue with maintenance chemotherapy for the next two years.

Back home he is his usual cheerful self, watching his favourite TV programme, In The Night Garden, and dancing around the house with his older brother Ethan, nine, and sister Olivia, three.

Sarah added: “Ted’s personality and strength of character is what enables us as a family to cope with his illness.

“He lights up the day for all those who meet him and he has an ability to draw people close.

“Despite his age, he takes his medication and treatment with no fuss and has the ability to turn even that into a game or something to learn.

“He has sunk to distressing lows with this illness, but fights back with his endearing cheekiness and determination.

“He is our shining star and our lives are very blessed from having him be a part of them.”

l Cancer Research UK and TK Maxx are inviting anyone who knows brave children, aged 17 or under, who are battling cancer or have undergone treatment for the disease in the past five years, to nominate them for a Little Star Award.

Visit www.cancer researchuk.org/littlestar or call Paul Wadsworth on 01132 636495 for more information.

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