Help Azahara look forward, beyond her treatment

Azahara’s diagnosis came out of the blue
Never would we have thought whilst on our family holiday in Cornwall this August 2021, that less than a month later, our energetic, kind and creative 13 year old daughter, Azahara, would be admitted to hospital and diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer (Malignant Renal Rhabdoid Tumour, Stage 3). Almost overnight, her health declined, and our family (Azahara, myself (Elvira), husband Mark, and youngest daughter Isabella (11)) are still coming to terms with the diagnosis and what this means for us over the coming months.

The treatment journey 
The news is still difficult to accept, but we are grateful Azahara is receiving excellent care at the Teenage Cancer Trust (Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham). Her treatment includes 14 cycles of chemotherapy, an operation to remove the tumour and radiotherapy: an intense 6 month-long treatment journey, from September 2021 to March 2022.

How Azahara is doing
Azahara has already started intensive chemotherapy treatment, accompanied by long weeks in hospital where she is missing the comforts of home, her sister, friends, and being able to be with both parents at once. Whilst she is worried about her hair loss, her strength and determination for her recovery prevail over all else.  

Even in the face of the seemingly endless treatments, procedures, medicines and physiotherapy, she finds it in her to smile, and she has not complained once.  We as parents are inspired daily by the lesson in bravery she is teaching us. 

Hope on the long road ahead
While the road ahead for Azahara’s recovery is long and no doubt there are difficult days ahead, one of the things that helps her the most is focusing on her dream: to go to Japan. This interest must be innate as she was conceived in Fukuoka, the capital city of Kyushu.  She is fascinated by Japan’s culture, food and aesthetics. She will turn 14 next March, just in time for the end of her treatment, and the beautiful sakura blossom season.

It is now our dream too to send her to Japan. More than allowing Azahara to live out her dream, this trip will give her and our family something to look forward to, renewing our optimism and motivation during these long, difficult days ahead. In other words, I have no doubt it will help her recovery (she is already learning Japanese while in hospital!).

Thank you for your generosity 
If you’re still reading this, you’ve generously given your time and spared thoughts of hope for Azahara: we are grateful for all the positive energy sent our way. We would also be very grateful if you would be willing to further support Azahara’s dream, and the charities that continue to buoy us , as we live as a family with cancer. 

With your support we aim to raise £5K for the trip, and £5K for the amazing charities that are supporting us:
 
Macmillan Cancer Support (£1K)
Together Against Cancer (£1K)
Harmless (£1K)
Teenage Cancer Trust (£1K)
Little Princess Trust (£1K)

If you can help at all, whatever the amount, it is meaningful and significant. Each pound will be a ray of hope, and a reminder to Azahara how many people are behind her.  Whilst the months ahead will be hard, this fundraiser and the activities we are organising to help us get to our funding goal is something to look forward to, and we thank you so much for your support.