Childhood cancer survivor fronts Christmas fundraising campaign
Press release: 23 November 2023
Childhood cancer survivor from Bristol fronts Christmas fundraising campaign
Six year old Apollinia celebrates one year in remission as she fronts Neuroblastoma UK’s campaign to raise £8,000 for neuroblastoma research
Apple (full name Apollonia), was diagnosed with stage four, high risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer in 2021.
This November, Apple celebrates one year in remission as she fronts Neuroblastoma UK’s first matched-funding campaign with the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Apple stars alongside the charity’s celebrity Patrons Alan Carr and Scott Mills, researchers, staff and Trustees in a video to promote the campaign.
At just three years old, Apple endured 18 months of gruelling treatment including high dose chemotherapy, a stem-cell transplant, six rounds of radiotherapy and immunotherapy. She also needed a 10 hour surgery to remove the large tumour in her abdomen. Thankfully Apple is now thriving and is a happy, healthy six year old.
But the treatment that saved her life has caused long-term side effects including fertility issues, hearing loss and bowel issues. One of Apple’s ovaries was harvested and kept in cryo-preservation for when she may want to start a family, but she may struggle with fertility. She also wears hearing aids after losing her high frequency hearing.
Apple’s family have raised over £13,000 for Neuroblastoma UK to help fund research to develop safer, less punishing treatments for children with neuroblastoma. They are now supporting the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023, the UK’s largest matched funding campaign, to help the charity raise a further £8,000 over just one week.
Between 12pm on 28th November and 12pm on 5th December 2023, donations made to the charity’s project Innovation to Impact - A Cure for Neuroblastoma will be doubled, up to £4,000. An additional £4,000 is available thanks to The Hospital Saturday Fund and pledges from generous donors. That means the charity could have £8,000 to help scientists get closer to a cure for neuroblastoma.
Apple's mum Anthea, aged 47 says, “In December 2021, we brought Christmas forward a week as Apple needed chemotherapy on Christmas Day. This year she’s so much stronger and is really looking forward to her second Christmas treatment free. But not all children are as lucky as Apple. Too many children die from neuroblastoma. More research is desperately needed to improve treatment and give children like Apple the future they deserve.”
Nicki Gillard, Fundraising Manager at Neuroblastoma UK says “Children with neuroblastoma desperately need our help. High risk neuroblastoma has one of the lowest survival rates of all childhood cancers but despite our best efforts, research into neuroblastoma remains critically under-funded in the UK. We are hugely grateful to The Hospital Saturday Fund and our Big Give pledgers for their generous support . By unlocking an additional £4,000, we can unlock more innovative research and help save more young lives.”
How can you get involved?
Save the date. Tuesday 28th November until Tuesday 5th December 2023
Pledge your support at neuroblastoma.org.uk and receive an email reminder
Donate to Neuroblastoma UK on the Big Give website between 12 noon on Tuesday 28th November and 12 noon on Tuesday 5th December to double your impact.