Nine-Year-Old Lily Represents Cancer Research UK at Barnsley FC

Lily Atkinson from Hoyland who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at just 11 months old, represented Cancer Research at the Barnsley FC fixture against Birmingham City on 11 February. 

Nine year old Lily was raising money in support of World Cancer Day and was joined by friends, family and Steph Edgar, a local Barnsley Cancer Research GP. 

A team from Cancer Research UK were also there on the night, selling World Cancer Day Unity Bands and raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer. 

Despite the cold weather (and Birminigham's 1-0 win), Lily and the team received a warm welcome, plenty of donations and spread the important message of spotting cancer symptoms early. 

Lily's Story

Lily was diagnosed with a type of cancer called Neuroblastoma when she was just 11 months old. Her mum Angela first spotted a problem when Lily had something wrong with her eye, which resulted in her having a number of tests in hospital. But the results showed Lily actually had cancer. 

After undergoing treatment at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, she has now grown up to be a healthy young girl who loves athletics and trains at Sheffield EIS twice a week. She has also done lots of fundraising to say thank you for her treatment and is proud to represent Cancer Research UK and support World Cancer Day.