A Moray mum whose daughter is battling cancer says she hopes a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of its symptoms will help other families.
Gail Paterson’s daughter Eileidh has spent the past two-and-a-half years undergoing treatment to rid her of high-risk childhood cancer neuroblastoma.
The four-year-old conquered the condition last summer, but relapsed less than a year later.
Buildings across the UK were lit in gold as part of the Glow Gold for September appeal this month.
And Eileidh’s hometown football team, Forres Mechanics, joined the cause by illuminating the rear of its main stand – which faces onto the A96.
Ms Paterson said that, had the signs of the illness been more widely known when Eileidh fell ill, then perhaps her cancer could have been identified earlier.
She said: “By the time Eileidh was diagnosed, she had a primary tumour in her adrenal gland filling half her abdomen, with secondary tumours in her pancreas, lymph nodes, bone marrow and jaw.”
“If I had been aware of childhood cancer and what symptoms to be aware of, perhaps Eileidh’s life over the past two-and-a-half years could have been entirely different.
“She could have a normal four-year-old’s life now, playing with friends or going to nursery.
“We would be looking forward to her starting school next year, instead of going from scan to scan.
“Awareness of childhood cancer and the symptoms is absolutely vital.”
Since her relapse in May, the youngster has endured five cycles of “very harsh” chemotherapy so far.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead joined the Glow Gold for September crusade after meeting the families behind the initiative.
He added: “It is absolutely key that parents know what to look out for, and I encourage everyone to take the time to find out more about the symptoms linked to childhood cancer.”