EASTENDERS star Natalie Cassidy has asked her followers to help a friend’s six-year-old daughter who is battling cancer.
The 38-year-old asked fans to help after her friend’s child was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that has a 40-50% chance of long-term survival.
In an effort to raise cash for life-saving treatment abroad, the TV star shared a photo of mum-of-four Abi and her daughter Ariana, who was diagnosed last year.
Natalie, who plays nurse Sonia on Eastenders, said: “Bravest strongest mum I know.
“Her daughter (6) is fighting stage 4 Neurobastoma. Abi has three other daughters to look after. And she lost her own mum a few years ago. She’s an amazing mum.
“Text ARIANNA 5 to 70085 to help. Thank you.”
The family has so far raised over £70,000 but have a target of £250,000, which will go towards life saving treatment abroad.
She has undergone six rounds of induction chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital since her diganosis in November.
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Sharing her story, their page says: “In July 2021 Arianna started to experience slight upper back pain. At the time it was put down to having a new bed.
“The pain disappeared for a short time but in mid-November Arianna’s symptoms worsened and the pain moved to her lower back.
“After going back and forth to the GP and A&E a number of times; including 3 times in just one day, on the 19th of November, the family were devastated when doctors discovered a tumour on her kidney.
“On the 26th of November, Arianna was officially diagnosed with stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma. Her parents were told the shocking news that her cancer had spread to multiple bones and her bone marrow.”
It adds: “Arianna is a beautiful, funny and kind-hearted 5-year-old, who loves dressing up in princess and superhero costumes and playing with her two younger sisters, Mya (3) and Zara (1).
“Arianna will become a big sister for the third time when her new baby sister joins the family in March 2022.”
Football mascot Bradley Lowery had neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that develops in nerve cells that have been left behind from their development in the womb.
It usually develops in the adrenal glands next to the kidneys but can also form in the spinal cord, neck, chest, pelvis or abdomen and is able to spread to other organs.
It is unknown what causes the cancer but it affects around 100 children in the UK every year with many of them under five.
The outlook for children diagnosed with the condition varies and mainly depends on if the cancer has spread.
Bradley Lowery was a six-year-old boy from Blackhall Colliery, near Hartlepool, who fought cancer most of his young life.
His family desperately raised money for treatment in the US but doctors delivered the heart-breaking news that the little boy’s cancer had become terminal.
In June 2017, his devastated mum posted a heartbreaking picture of the pained youngster with his older brother – as she revealed he was “deteriorating fast”.
And by the end of the month, Bradley had just days to live – but was still putting on a brave face, having a “bed party” where he said goodbyes to loved ones before snuggling up with footballer Jermain Defoe.
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