A CHESTER mum and her brave son have been chosen as guests of honour for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.
Two-year-old Noah Scott, who lives in Lache, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer, aged just 13 months.
His mum Nia Williams had taken Noah to the family doctor after he began suffering from diarrhoea and wind, believing he was unwell because he had been eating prunes.
But when the GP was examining the youngster he felt a distinct swelling in his stomach and sent him immediately to the Countess of Chester Hospital for an ultrasound scan.
Following scans, blood tests and a biopsy at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, Noah was found to have a tumour growing on his adrenal gland and was diagnosed with neuroblastoma.
“When Noah was diagnosed with cancer, it was very hard to take in the news,” said 31-year-old Nia.
“He had no symptoms and we would never have known there was anything wrong with him if it hadn’t been for the prune incident.”
Noah began an immediate course of chemotherapy and was also placed on a Cancer Research UK funded clinical trial.
Together with mum and dad Paul, the youngster spent more time at hospital than at home and his immune system became very weak.
The chemotherapy successfully shrank the tumour and Noah underwent surgery to have it removed in December, 2011.
His parents had been warned Noah could lose a kidney but the operation proved to be a great success.
He was treated with retinoic acid for six months and in September the family were given the good news he is in remission.
Noah, who received a Cancer Research UK Little Star award for his courage, and Nia will be guests of honour at Race for Life in Chester.
They will set the fundraisers on their way before Nia joins in herself.
“Taking part in Race for Life is my way of fighting back against cancer,” said Nia.
“I’m so grateful for the research that has helped Noah to survive and now I want to help others by supporting Cancer Research UK’s work.
“I took part in Race for Life at Chester last summer in tribute to Noah’s bravery and it will be great to set the participants off knowing he is now in remission.”
Noah has been left partially deaf in both ears due to side-effects from the drugs used to treat him, but he is in excellent health otherwise.
“Noah is so full of fun and mischief,” said Nia.
“He is a real little rascal and the light of our lives.”