Family bid to prevent cancer return for girl, 2

At just two years old, Florence has had to endure 18 months of intensive treatment after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

In 2024, "fearless Florence" was found to have high-risk neuroblastoma, turning her family's life upside down.

Florence, from Stourbridge, endured a 12-hour operation, as well as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and two stem cell transplants - finishing her treatment in April.

Her mother, Anna said: "She's done absolutely amazing. So for her to finish treatment, we're so proud of her. She's been through so much."

Now, her family are trying to raise £100,000 in the hope of getting Florence access to medication difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), in a bid to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

The drug is available in the US, Australia and Switzerland, but is not approved for use on the NHS.

Anna said that the chances of relapse were "quite high", even after a child finished other treatment.

"For us... it's another opportunity to keep the cancer away," she said.

"We don't have much or any control throughout this journey, but for us it was something we wanted Florence to have."

A fundraising day was held at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club on Saturday in a bid to get the family closer to their target, called Fearless Florence's Family Rugby Fun Day.

The day included rugby matches, a live band, and a bouncy castle.

Anna said the family were grateful for all of the support they had received.

"For us we just want her in our lives forever, and this feels like something that could help towards that, so we're trying to grab it and get it for her," she said.

Dr Satish Rao, chief medical officer at Birmingham Children's Hospital, said any decisions about treatment were made on a "case-by-case basis" and would include a number of factors, "with the best interests of the patient always being the primary consideration".

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