Ely Cathedral's Octagon Tower was lit up gold to mark the end of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Lisa and David Radcliffe, East Cambridgeshire parents who lost their four-year-old son to rhabdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue tumour), have a Special Named Fund, Just George, which raises funds and awareness of childhood cancer.
The couple asked the cathedral if they would support Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
Lisa said she was pleased when they agreed: “Many families local to Ely have been affected by childhood cancer and I hoped by lighting the tower, and shining gold far and wide, it could bring comfort as well as raise awareness.”
She added: "There's a perception that cancer in children and teenagers is rare.
"Childhood cancer is not rare so it's important to be able to spot it early. Parents know their children well.
"If your child just doesn't seem to be recovering from some of the more common childhood illnesses and your gut is telling you something isn't right, it is ok to go back to your GP or ask for a second opinion.
"GPs see very little childhood cancer and the symptoms are often vague and similar to other common illnesses.
"Medical staff and parents need to work together because early diagnosis or childhood cancer helps save lives."
Over the weekend, Just George supporters went to see the tower lit up.
Family friend to the Radcliffes, Rob Williams, said it was emotional seeing the tower lit gold.
“The light is both a beacon of hope for a better, brighter future with advancements in effective treatments, as well as a reminder of all those children we have lost and their loved ones who continue to grieve.”
To find out more about spotting the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer, head to the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group: https://www.cclg.org.uk/spotchildcancer.
To support Lisa and David’s drive to raise awareness and raise funds for childhood cancer research, follow their Special Named Fund, Just George: https://specialnamedfunds.cclg.org.uk/just-george
As the awareness month closes, and Ely Cathedral’s golden light dims, families like the Radcliffes, alongside charities such as the Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia Group, will continue to raise awareness and fund research.
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