CELEBRITY CHEF CHAMPIONS COURAGE OF CHESHIRE CHILDREN WITH CANCER

An award scheme recognising the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer is being launched today in Cheshire, supported by Jean-Christophe Novelli.

The multi Michelin-starred chef knows the devastating impact of cancer all too well after his youngest son Valentino was diagnosed with the disease in 2016 at just six-weeks-old.

The experience is driving the dad-of-four to back the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, in partnership with TK Maxx. 

With around 190 children diagnosed with cancer every year in the North West*, he and his partner Michelle are calling on families across Cheshire to nominate young cancer patients and survivors in the run up to Christmas.

The Star Awards are open to under-18s who have been diagnosed with the disease in the last five years.

There is no judging panel, because Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition.

Everyone nominated receives a trophy, £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces, including Jean-Christophe Novelli, Nanny McPhee actress Dame Emma Thompson, This Morning’s Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker. Their siblings also receive a certificate.

Jean-Christophe watched little Valentino endure two years of intense treatment. After Michelle spotted a lump on his neck during feeding, he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare cancer of nerve cells that mainly affects children under the age of five. The cancer was stage four meaning it had spread around Valentino’s body.

The four-year-old is now cancer-free, but his terrifying journey has made his parents determined to do everything they can to raise vital awareness of what children with cancer face and the importance of research into new treatments.

Jean-Christophe said: “Michelle and I were not really aware of children’s cancers – it was a new area for us, but then you hear the word and it gets locked in your mind, you don’t know what is going to come next.

“We were in bits. Almost four years on, things will come to me and I will have a flashback even now. But we have been fortunate and we thank God we live in the UK with the amazing NHS.

“Knowing what Valentino went through, when we heard about the Star Awards we had no hesitation to get involved immediately. They are such a great way to show these amazing children how special they are. Now we want to help spread the word, so that across Cheshire as many children affected by cancer as possible have the opportunity to be nominated and can receive the acknowledgement they so richly deserve.”

Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults – from the types of cancer, to the impact of treatment. That’s why Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is supporting dedicated research to improve survival.

Anna Taylor, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West, said: “A cancer diagnosis is heart-breaking at any age, but it can be particularly difficult for a child or young person and their families, especially when many of those who survive may experience serious long-term side effects from their treatment.

“Our Star Awards shine an important light on these inspirational youngsters, so we’re urging people to get nominating now so we can celebrate their incredible courage.”

The Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx, the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK’s work into children’s and young people’s cancers. Since 2004, the retailer has raised over £40m for the charity. Over £37m of this total has supported research to help ensure more children and young people survive cancer with a good quality of life.

To nominate a Star visit cruk.org/starawards

*Average annual number of new cancer cases of all cancers combined excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD10 C00-C97, excl. C44) diagnosed in children aged 0-14 years in the <<SPECIFY REGION>> region in 2015-17. This data was extracted from the Public Health England’s Cancer Analysis System, snapshot CAS1902. Accessed 30/07/2020. This work is only possible because of data from the cancer registry, which is routinely collected by the NHS as part of patient care.

About Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People:

• Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research.
• Around 4,400 children and young people (aged 0-24) are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK; that’s around 360 cases every month, 84 cases each week and 12 cases each day.
• More than 8 in 10 children and young people (aged 0-24) diagnosed with cancer in the UK now survive for at least five years.
• Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People’s vision is to improve survival and reduce long-term side effects for children and young people with cancer.
• Money raised through Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People will be ring-fenced to fund research into cancers affecting children and young people (aged 0-24). Donations will be used to fund research to help more 0-24-year-olds survive cancer and do so with a good quality of life.

About TK Maxx supporting Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People:

• Since 2004, TK Maxx customers and associates have raised over £40 million for Cancer Research UK through customer donations, associate fundraising and sales of charity merchandise.
• Of this total, over £37 million has supported research to improve survival and reduce long-term side effects for children and young people with cancer.
• TK Maxx is the biggest corporate supporter of Cancer Research UK's research into children's and young people’s cancers.
• The Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx.
• TK Maxx donates a £50 voucher to every Star nominated, as well as sponsoring the annual Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards Party.
• TK Maxx and Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People recently won Retail Charity Partnership of the Year at the Retail System Awards 2019.

About TK Maxx

• TK Maxx is Europe’s leading off-price apparel and homeware retailer selling a huge assortment of big names and designer labels, top brands, up-and-coming labels and exciting gems at up to 60% less than the RRP and at a significant discount to the price in a department store or on the high street, every single day.
• TK Maxx offers a unique treasure hunt shopping experience where customers can find something special at a great price, every time they visit.
• The average TK Maxx store receives several deliveries a week. The rapidly changing mix of high quality merchandise creates the treasure hunt experience that customers love.
• Opportunistic buying, established relationships with vendors and a no frills operation means TK Maxx can pass huge savings onto customers.
• TK Maxx is committed to being a responsible retailer whether in the community, as an employer, in the supply chain or in the environment.
• As at November 2020¹ TK Maxx has 602 stores in six countries across Europe: the UK, Ireland, Poland, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands and is online at www.tkmaxx.com

TK Maxx is part of TJX Europe which comprises the TK Maxx and Homesense brands. TJX Europe is part of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX).

¹TJX Companies, Inc. Q3 FY21 results