The moving advert is inspired by Evie Henderson and her cat Genie from Lincolnshire who was a dedicated companion to the schoolgirl as she braved intensive treatment for bone cancer
A HEARTBREAKING Christmas advert about a young cancer patient and her cat has Facebook users in tears - and it's based on a true story.
The animated clip called Genie's Christmas Wish from Cat's Protection shows the relationship between Evie as she battled cancer and feline friend Genie.
In the ad, Evie and Genie appear inseparable as they sleep, play, and eat together - but when the young girl gets sick, the pair are separated as Evie is admitted to hospital and Genie stays at home.
As it becomes apparent that Evie is battling cancer, we see the young girl looking at photos of herself and Genie in happier times. Meanwhile, Genie is at home and appears miserable without her friend.
But one raining evening before Christmas, a sad Genie is seen alone in the house and creeps into the sitting room to sit by the window - but just minutes later the door opens and Evie arrives home to her cat.
The clip was released by Cats Protection on Friday and has been viewed almost 50,000 times - leaving many Facebook users in tears.
One person said: "Wow. This moved me in ways I cannot describe. I went through this same situation 2 years ago. Coming home to my kitty was one of the happiest days of my life."
Another added: "This is so beautiful. Reduced me to tears. Particularly poignant for me, as two years ago I spent five days in hospital with sepsis, whilst having chemotherapy. It was just before Christmas, too.
"I missed my cats terribly and apparently they kept waiting outside my bedroom door for me to reappear."
"Thank God for the happy ending, not a good look being sat at your desk at work in tears," another said.
While the moving ad made several people shed a tear, many will be surprised that Evie and Genie are based on Evie Henderson and her cat Genie from Lincolnshire.
Black-and-white cat Genie was a dedicated companion to schoolgirl Evie as she braved intensive treatment for bone cancer in 2016.
Evie, who was 11 at the time, endured six rounds of chemotherapy, several operations and lengthy hospital stays away from home. While she was separated from her beloved cat, the bond she had built with Genie provided plenty of comfort during the tough times.
She said: “I missed Genie every day I was in hospital and my family could tell she missed me. She’s my best friend and is always there when I need her.”
Evie and Genie’s bond was so strong that her family decided to nominate Genie for Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards in 2017.
As well as winning the title of Outstanding Rescue Cat, she was also awarded the overall title of the nation’s Top Cat at a ceremony held at the Savoy Hotel in London.
Cats Protection said the hope "is that the animation will highlight the often amazing impact that cats have on our lives".
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