Little Star Awards with Cancer Research UK

Nominate your little star!

If you know a young cancer patient or survivor, now's the time to nominate them for special recognition of their courage.

Cancer Research UK is pleased to launch its annual Little Star Awards at the same time as announcing that the rate of children dying from cancer has fallen by almost 60% over the last 40 years, according to new figures.

Martin McGlown, head of patient liaison at Cancer Research UK, says: “The Little Star Awards are now in their eighth year and we are delighted to be able to combine the 2010 launch with such positive news about childhood cancer survival.”

Last year 300 children from across the UK received a Little Star Award. Unlike many other children’s awards, there is no judging panel because Cancer Research UK and partner TK Maxx believe each and every child who faces cancer is extra special.

Recipients get a special trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card and a certificate signed by a host of celebrities including pop sensations Leona Lewis, Rihanna, The Jonas Brothers and Premiership football aces Ryan Giggs and Cesc Fabregas.

Leona Lewis says: "More children than ever before are surviving cancer thanks to research and I believe Cancer Research UK's Little Star Awards are a great way of raising awareness and highlighting the progress that is being made."

TK Maxx have partnered with Cancer Research UK since 2004, and already raised a staggering £9 million to help beat children’s cancer.

Doug Mizzi, Managing Director of TK Maxx UK and Ireland, says: “The Little Star Awards are a fantastic way of recognising the courage of children who have faced a diagnosis of cancer and the support they receive from families and friends.”

To continue its life saving work and help more children beat the disease, Cancer Research UK opened the Children’s Cancer Trials Team (CCTT) at the University of Birmingham earlier this year. By co-ordinating national trials in the UK they play a key role in bringing new and more effective treatments to children with cancer. It is estimated that there are around 26,000 childhood cancer survivors in Britain.

To nominate a Little Star email littlestar@cancer.org.uk or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/littlestar. The awards are open to all under 18s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.