Courageous Caiden receives award for brave cancer battle

After continuing to shine despite his ordeal, 19-month-old Caiden Tang from the Old Galgorm Road area of the town received a very special star-shaped chrome trophy.

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

Caiden’s mum Kathy, nominated her son for the accolade and beamed with pride as he was also handed a 50 TK Maxx voucher and certificate signed by celebrities including Leona Lewis, American heartthrobs the Jonas Brothers and athletics phenomenon Usain Bolt.

Kathy said, “My son was diagnosed in October 2008 with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and was admitted to intensive care a few hours after his diagnosis, as he was having breathing difficulties. Six months of intensive chemotherapy followed, during which time he suffered terrible side effects.

“Once the treatment stopped, he relapsed within two weeks,” adds Kathy. “and Caiden had to have emergency surgery to relieve the pressure around his heart, caused by the tumour.”

This brave little boy then began a four-month intense course of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. Liver complications added to the strain on his tiny body.

Kathy said “I nominated him for a Little Star award, because he has been an absolute treasure through all the difficult times. He was such a happy child that staff at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children named him MR. HAPPY.

“There were times when things did not look so good for Caiden, but seeing him happy and playful hopefully helped the other children to find the courage they needed to fight this awful disease.”

Cancer Research UK is the largest single funder of research into children’s cancer. The charity and T K Maxx are working together to help beat children’s cancer and T K Maxx has already raised a staggering 3.2 million to help fund research.

Jean Walsh, Cancer Research UK’s press officer in Northern Ireland said, “Caiden is a true ‘Little Star’ who richly deserves this accolade.”

Cancer is the most common cause of death from illness in children aged between one and 14. Each year, about 40 children in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with the disease (about 1,500 children in the UK).

However, there is some good news. In the 1960s around a quarter of children with cancer survived, whereas today three quarters survive.

Thousands more people are alive today thanks to Cancer Research UK’s work on children’s cancer and the charity is inviting anyone who knows other brave under-18s who are currently battling cancer, or have undergone treatment for the disease in the past five years, to nominate them for a Little Star Award. Only one nomination per child is necessary.

Each and every child nominated will receive the accolade and their siblings will also receive a special certificate in recognition of the support they give. Unlike other children’s awards, there is no judging panel because Cancer Research UK and TK Maxx believe every child who encounters cancer is extra special.

Other celebrities backing the awards include Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity and Tracey Beaker actress Dani Harmer.