Brave cancer victim, Elodie ' is inspiration to us all' (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Courageous Runcorn schoolgirl fights cancer

12:20pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News Exclusive By Barbara Jordan

A COURAGEOUS little girl fighting a rare form of cancer has been hailed as a shining inspiration.

Five-year-old Elodie Fagan was diagnosed with Rhabdomyo sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer in her left thigh, in October.

Despite, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, this little ballet dancer who lives horse riding, keeps on smiling.

Her dad, Carl, aged 36, of Greenway Road, Runcorn, said: “Her mum spotted a lump in her leg. It appeared overnight.

“Up ‘till then she was a perfectly happy, healthy young girl.

“It has been an absolute shock to all of us. There is no known cause for it.”

Elodie’s classmates at Victoria Road Primary School all wore hats after she lost her hair.

They walked five miles, the equivalent of Mount Everest, and raised more than £500 for Sarcoma UK, a cancer charity which supports children.

Elodie’s teacher, Gemma Neal said: “She is such a calm, quiet little girl. She’s just gorgeous.

“She came in on her little zimmer frame. She is doing incredibly well.”

Elodie’s mum, Beckie, aged 32, and two-year-old sister, Maddie, are planning her sixth birthday on March 14.

Elodie’s dad, Carl, a civil servant a the Department of Employment in Runcorn, said: “She always has a big smile on her face. She is helping the rest of the family cope with this.

“She inspires us all.

“She is quite happy and laid back. She is a big pop music fan and always listens to One Direction.

“As soon as she was up on her feet after surgery, she was dancing around to her favourite songs.

“She is a very happy, exceptionally lovely princess.”

Her school is looking for a venue to stage a fundraising night. If you can help, call 01928 574644.