Brave little star

9:29am Thursday 28th February 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

LITTLE star Tristan Bamford amazed his parents in battling cancer so bravely that they have nominated him for a special award.

Five-and-a-half month old Tristan was diagnosed with a rare form of the disease called neuroblastoma when he was ten weeks old.

He has been fighting the cancer ever since and was recently given the all clear.

Now Cancer Research UK has awarded him with the Little Star award, which recognises the unique challenges faced by children diagnosed with cancer.

Tristan has been given a trophy and a certificate signed by celebrities including Dr Who Star David Tennant, pop stars McFly, and footballer Ryan Giggs.

His parents, Mark and Natasha Bamford, of High Street, Wootton Bassett, say they are thrilled his fight has been recognised and they are now looking forward to enjoying time at home with their first child.

Mr Bamford, 26, said: "For such a tiny baby he has come out with a smile on his face every time.

"There is still a chance he might need more chemotherapy but for now he's all clear.

"He has always been really chirpy and it is nice to have him home at last.

"He has been so brave and we saw the Cancer Research UK poster which advertised the award and straight away knew we had to nominate Tristan.

"When a child is diagnosed with an illness it's the parents who struggle to cope, the children on Tristan's ward were all so happy.

"It's inspirational when you see sick children smiling and playing.

"We're more excited about the award than he is, he just wants to dribble all over it."

Neuroblastoma is a very rare cancer, which develops from the cells left behind from a baby's development in the womb.

It affects children, mostly under the age of five years, and only around 100 children are diagnosed each year in the UK.

Tristan was admitted to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon after his parents had been concerned that he was often sick and had a swollen tummy.

He was diagnosed with cancer and referred to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

As well as undergoing chemotherapy Tristan had four litres of fluid drained from his stomach before being discharged on December 20, just in time for his first Christmas.

Mrs Bamford,24, added: "When we were first told we were completely in shock. We expected it to be wind.

"Things are going in the right direction. It will take about a year for his tumour and liver to go back to normal, and he will need regular check-ups until he is 18."