A Blantyre youngster who is being treated for leukaemia and is among the first in Scotland to take part in a new clinical trial has helped inspire a new work by renowned children’s poet and author Joseph Coelho.
Fearne Stewart was one of just five children from all over the UK chosen to share their cancer experiences with the former Children’s Laureate to create poignant new poem Courage Looks Like Me – with the five-year-old sharing special insights such as describing courage as “the swoosh of a superhero” and “bouncy”.
She was chosen to take part in the writing project, which promotes the Star Awards run by Cancer Research UK, after receiving one of the charity’s awards earlier this year in tribute to her bravery in going through treatment since being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in April 2023.
Fearne was asked by poet Coelho what courage looked and felt like to her and provided a vivid insight and touching imagery which went on to form some of the most powerful lines in the new poem.
She said: “Bravery is bouncy because I can feel nervous and a bit jumpy in hospital. When I’m getting ready to be brave, I always take a deep breath, count to ten and say “go” to the nurses before treatment. After I’ve been brave I don’t feel as bouncy any more and I know I am getting better.
“I feel proud to receive a star award and helping write the wonderful poem meant a lot to me. One of my favourite stories is Luna Loves Art by Joseph Coelho so I’ve loved helping to write the poem.”
Joseph Coelho said: “I was surprised by the children’s contributions – they came up with some beautifully poetic, sincere, emotive language and I learnt so much from their imaginative and moving choice of imagery. They blew me away; they’re all poets.
“There’s a maturity that sets them apart, because of what they’ve been through. I felt that I was hearing stories and reading words and ideas that came from a deep well of experience; they were willing to talk about their strengths, but also their challenges, a particularly difficult thing for any of us.
He added: “The Star Awards are a brilliant initiative and I’m proud that our poem can play a part in raising awareness so that more children like Fearne can be recognised for their courage and resilience in the face of cancer. I hope as many people as possible will get nominating in the run up to Christmas and help show these incredible children how special they are.”
Fearne was aged just four when she was rushed by ambulance from Wishaw General to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow where the diagnosis of leukaemia was confirmed, after several weeks of symptoms including bruises, pains in her legs, exhaustion, night sweats, a sore stomach, weight loss, pale skin and repeated infections in a short time.
She spent six weeks in hospital at the start of her treatment and has undergone chemotherapy which she is due to complete in June.
Dad Gary said: “We told her that doctors were going to make her better. Fearne had beautiful long hair when she was diagnosed and we had to explain to her that the treatment meant that she would lose her hair. We thought Fearne would be very upset but actually she adapted well.
“When she felt well enough Fearne was first in the playroom at hospital and we decided early on that if Fearne was fine then we had to be too. There were a few wobbles of confidence but Fearne took on everything that was thrown at her and mostly with a smile.”
Fearne is now in remission from leukaemia and is part of the international AllTogether-1 clinical trial, funded by Cancer Research UK. She started Primary One at St Joseph’s in Blantyre in August, and was recently invited to carry out the official ribbon-cutting at the opening of the charity’s new Glasgow superstore along with parents Paula and Gary and little brother Joseph.
She received a Star Award from Cancer Research UK in recognition of her courage in undergoing treatment, and was presented with a trophy, £50 gift card from award partners TK Maxx, T-shirt and a a certificate signed by a host of famous faces.
Siblings also receive a certificate alongside the award recipient, with the Star Awards being open to all under-18s who have been treated for cancer in the past five years.
Cancer Research UK is encouraging families and friends to nominate more youngsters for recognition; more information is at www.cancerresearchuk.org/children-and-young-people/star-awards
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