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Role honour for cancer survivor 12-year-old Ruth Grace

A children’s cancer charity has appointed 12-year-old Ruth Grace Crosby from Denton as their first ever Young Ambassador.

Ruth Grace was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, when she was just eight years old. 

She had a horrific experience throughout her cancer treatment, enduring countless side effects, suffering a severe allergic reaction to one of the chemotherapy drugs, and eventually having to have her leg amputated.

The brave youngster has now been appointed the Young Ambassador for the Manchester-based charity Friends of Rosie.

In her role she will be helping the charity to fundraise, raise awareness of the vital need for more research, and to connect with other children who have been or are going through cancer treatment. 

Ruth Grace said: “If my involvement can help just one  other child get through treatment, that would be amazing.”

The impact of Covid-19 has significantly reduced the charity’s normal flow of support and their ability to fundraise. They have seen a 50 per cent drop in fundraising income since lockdown began in March. 

Ruth Grace will be working with the Friends of Rosie team to come up with new fundraising ideas to get much deserved attention on childhood cancer research.

She is now three years cancer-free and it has been one year since her leg amputation. 

She has started back to school which was a huge event for her, especially with the new Covid regulations in schools. She has recently had a new prosthetic leg, which she has been getting used to during lockdown, even riding her scooter once again.

Her focus now is on her education, friendships, and raising awareness for children’s cancer research – and most importantly, enjoying her childhood again!

Chair of Friends of Rosie Felicity Goodey said: “We’re delighted to have Ruth Grace as part of our team and I’m sure she’ll make a hugely positive impact on the work that we do. 

“Ruth Grace is why we exist. It’s often only seeing young children going through the devastation of cancer and gruelling treatments that people realise how important it is to find better treatments and cures. 

“Her involvement will help us to raise awareness of the need for more dedicated research into the causes, treatment, and diagnosis of childhood cancer.”

If you would like to support Friends of Rosie to fund more life-saving and life-changing research, just visit their website www.friendsofrosie.co.uk.

You can read Ruth’s full story on the Friends of Rosie website at https://www.friendsofrosie.co.uk/ruth-grace-our-young-ambassador/ 

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