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'maybe santa will make me better'

Bella wants to get home from Xmas this year after spending the last two in hospital fighting cancer – you can help by donating to our Smiles at Christmas campaign

Brave tot, 5,  wants to get home for December 25th — so she can be there when Santa comes

Bella Rose Leach

BATTLING Bella-Rose Leach wants to get home for December 25th — so she can be there when Santa comes.

The five-year-old spent the last two Christmases in hospital being treated for blood cancer.

Bella-Rose Leach has spent two Christmases in hospital with cancer, and cannot remember a time when she did not have the disease
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Bella-Rose Leach has spent two Christmases in hospital with cancer, and cannot remember a time when she did not have the diseaseCredit: BBC

Bella, who cannot recall a time when she was cancer-free, says: “I don’t want any more yucky medicine and want to be there when Father Christmas comes.

“I’ve seen Mummy cry because I’m in pain. I hope to get better so I can be a princess with long hair. Maybe Father Christmas will make me better.”

The five-year-old wants to be at home when Father Christmas visits
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The five-year-old wants to be at home when Father Christmas visitsCredit: BBC
Children with Cancer gives over £5million a year to research and wants personalised treatment for all kids battling the disease by 2020
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Children with Cancer gives over £5million a year to research and wants personalised treatment for all kids battling the disease by 2020

Children With Cancer aims to help children like Bella, of Hemel Hempstead, Herts.

She has spent ten months in hospital this year having operations, chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant for her acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Bella-Rose has spent ten months of this year in hospital
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Bella-Rose has spent ten months of this year in hospitalCredit: BBC

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The charity was founded in 1988 by Eddie O’Gorman after cancer killed son Paul, 14, and daughter Jean, 29.

He says: “All nine children being treated with Paul died. I promised him I’d change that.”

Eddie O'Gorman founded Children with Cancer charity after his son and daughter died from the illness
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Eddie O'Gorman founded Children with Cancer charity after his son and daughter died from the illnessCredit: matrixpictures.co.uk

Children With Cancer invests £5million a year in research. It wants each child to get tailored “precision medicine” by 2020.

It also provides accommodation for parents of kids at Great Ormond Street Hospital.


Give cash

Online:

Text: To give £2, text KIDS55 2 to 70070. You can change the amount to £3, £4, £5 or £10 by changing the last figure to 3, 4, 5 or 10.

Post: Send a cheque, made payable to JustGiving Foundation, to JustGiving The Sun Appeal, Bluefin Building 2nd Floor, London SE1 0TA

Give toys

You can donate new or used toys in good condition at 1,370 branches of McColl’s convenience stores.

Toys “R” Us will accept new toys only — look for special Sun trolleys near entrances.

Tell pals

Like our Facebook page

Or tweet using #SmilesAtChristmas to let us know how you’re getting involved!

 

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