'Every time she giggles, she gives me hope,' says Anya's mum (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Brave Anya battles cancer

12:40pm Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan

A COURAGEOUS little girl fighting a rare and aggressive cancer has inspired hundreds of wellwishers to help her to survive.

Twenty-two-month-old Anya Bentham was diagnosed with neuroblastoma last October, just as her parents were about to get married.

Graeme Bentham, aged 44, and his partner, Naomi Stanley, aged 27, cancelled their wedding and launched a fundraising appeal to save their daughter’s life.

To give Anya her best chance of survival, they hope to take her to America, which could cost £250,000.

Widnes Vikings have pledged to help and friends and relatives have already raised £22,000.

Graeme, a power station technician, from West Bank, Widnes, said: “We’ve had such a huge response, it has been phenomenal.

“It has blown us away. A lot of these people don’t even know us.

“We’ve got a big fight ahead of us.”

Anya is undergoing chemotherapy at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool before she has surgery to remove her tumour, radiation therapy and a stem cell transplant.

She will then be given one of two drugs being trialled in the UK.

If it doesn’t work, her parents, who live in Chester, will take her abroad. If it does cure her, there is still a 50 per cent chance of a relapse.

Her mum, Naomi, said:”It is heartbreaking. The baby I have watched grow from a tiny newborn to a happy toddler is fighting for her life. My heart cracks further with every sad thought.

“Anya is amazing.

“Every time she smiles or giggles or is just a normal toddler, it gives me hope that she can beat this disease.”

A bingo in West Bank raised funds and a bag pack is planned.

If you wish to help, visit justgiving.com/appeal4anya