Nominations Open for Cancer Research UK Star Awards in Cornwall

An award scheme recognising the courage of children and young people diagnosed with cancer has launched across Cornwall, backed by celebrities including JoJo Siwa.

Around 300 children in the South West are diagnosed with the disease each year, and families are now being encouraged to put forward their own young stars for recognition in the run up to Christmas.

📷Star Awards Trophy

Honouring Courage Across Cornwall

Nominations are now open for the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards. The awards are open to all under 18s living in the UK who have been treated for cancer within the past five years.

There is no judging panel, as Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves recognition. Every nominee receives a trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card, a t-shirt and a certificate signed by famous supporters including children’s poet and author Joseph Coelho, JoJo Siwa, pop icon Pixie Lott, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker. Siblings also receive a special certificate.

Calling for more nominations, JoJo Siwa said: “The Star Awards are a brilliant way to recognise the courage of children who are diagnosed with cancer. They have to go through so much and the Star Awards are a great scheme for them and their families, to show them that we all think they are so brave.”

Nominations can be made at the Cancer Research UK website: https://cruk.org/starawards

Why These Awards Matter

Cancer in children and young people differs from adult cancers, both in the types of cancer and the long-term effects of treatment, such as hearing loss and infertility. Cancer Research UK is funding work to develop more effective and less toxic treatments.

The charity is currently funding the UK’s only dedicated clinical trials unit for children’s cancers. This unit coordinates trials that aim to influence clinical practice, improve patient care and reduce treatment side effects. These trials help make innovative new treatments available to young cancer patients.

Thanks to research and breakthroughs over recent decades, children’s cancer survival in the UK has more than doubled since the 1970s, although there is still further progress to be made.

📷Joseph Coelho with a Star Award - Credit: Lesley Martin

A Call for Cornwall to Get Involved

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the South West, Elisa Mitchell, said: “We’re driving forward progress, so more children and young people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

“A cancer diagnosis is heart breaking at any age, but it can be particularly devastating for youngsters, especially when many may experience life long side effects from their treatment.

“Not only do our Star Awards help to put these inspirational individuals in the spotlight where they belong, they pay tribute to their supportive siblings who deserve to be celebrated too. That’s why we’re urging people to get nominating in the run up to Christmas, so we can give more incredible young people the recognition they so truly deserve.”

Families wishing to nominate a young person can visit the Star Awards page at https://cruk.org/starawards.

📷JoJo Siwa: US singer, dancer and reality TV star JoJo Siwa is calling for nominations to the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards. Nominate a child or young person at cruk.org/starawards.