ralfi’s brave cancer fight
Eight-year-old Ralfi Noble, battling a rare form of cancer. Pictured with his mum, Nicola Noble
Children and teachers are rallying round to support a brave young boy and his family in his battle against a rare form of cancer.
Eight-year-old Ralfi Noble, a pupil at Burnley Road Academy in Mytholmroyd, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma – a childhood cancer – in June.
He went into hospital for an operation to have a lump removed and has since been on a programme of chemotherapy.
It has been a difficult time for Ralfi and his family, but doctors are hopeful that the youngster is on the road to recovery.
Ralfi’s mum, Nicola, said: “From the first moment, Ralfi was really poorly.
“He has lost all his hair. He lost a stone and five pounds in the first few weeks because he was so sick with the chemotherapy.
“It’s been really hard. Everything has changed.”
Nicola is very proud of how her son has coped with everything that has happened.
“He has been brilliant,” she said.
“He got very anxious but he’s calmed down over the last few weeks. He looks great at the moment.
“Ralfi still wears his hat at school but last week he took it off for the first time.”
Ralfi goes to school a couple of afternoons a week.
Macmillan nurses and a team from Candlelighters have been into school to give a talk to the pupils to help them understand what Ralfi is going through.
“Up to 97 per cent of childhood cancers are cured,” Nicola said.
“The doctors will keep an eye on him for five years. He will have the best care.
“A secondary cancer is the worst possible outcome but hopefully that’s not going to happen.
“They are very positive at the hospital.”
To thank Candlelighters for all its support, including providing a grant to the family for travel expenses, the school’s parent, teacher and friend association organised a coffee morning last week, which raised £282 for the charity.
Chairwoman Hayley Morgan said: “All the children are quite upset about Ralfi and wanted to do something to help the charity that’s supporting their friend.”
Pam Saville, headteacher at Burnley Road Academy, said: “The academy staff and children are really supportive of both parents and Ralfi.
“We just hope that he will soon be through it and back to school full time as quickly as possible.”
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Weather for Halifax
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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