Cancer battler Pippa’s big celebration

The family of a two-year-old battling cancer have held a fundraising party to celebrate her survival.
Pippa Belle (right) with her family.Pippa Belle (right) with her family.
Pippa Belle (right) with her family.

Pippa Belle Cole, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in July last year, is too young to understand what all the fuss is about.

But for mum Michelle Howard, 33, and dad Scott Cole, 35, of Birch Road, Garstang, the party marked the end of a traumatic year and the chance to ensure their daughter had some fun.

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At the same time the party at Winmarleigh Village Hall was an opportunity to raise funds for the oncology ward at Royal Manchester Hospital where Pippa Belle has been treated.

Michelle said: “It’s been an eventful year, but we’ve got there.“She has undergone a 10 hour brain operation which removed 98 per cent of the tumour.

“Because it was a Grade 3 tumour which is very aggressive, she had to have 13 months of chemotherapy to try to zap the rest.”

Pippa Belle missed every major celebration last year including Christmas and Easter festivities.

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Pippa started at Rainbows Pre-school in September and although she will need regular check ups and scans the family says they are remaining positive.

Michelle added: “There is a 50 per cent chance it could come back in the next five years. At the moment she’s clear. It never goes into remission...it could come back in 20 years time. We are very positive - we’ve got to believe it is not going to come back.

“We are going to live like it’s gone, but we are prepared that it’s going to come back.”

Donations for the hospital can be texted to 70070, text PIPC84 with the amount you wish to donate: £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10.

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