Meet the brave children launching our Star Awards

A 10-year-old artist is marking her first Christmas since the end of treatment by helping launch our special awards scheme for children and young people facing cancer.

A photograph of Seirian — Seirian Richards

Seirian, from north Wales, was awarded one of our Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People’s Star Awards after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in 2022.

Seirian finished chemotherapy earlier this year and then held an art exhibition called “Seirian versus the Leukaemians” in a gallery in her home town of Wrexham.

After hearing about the exhibition, we asked Seirian to draw a picture to show what her Star Award meant to her.

Seirian named her picture “We are all made of stars” and included the caption: “The rainbow represents hope, the birds represent love. The castle ruin is strength, the daisy is determination and I am courage.”

This month, Seirian’s picture is being shared to help encourage other people to nominate any children diagnosed with cancer for a Star Award.

Seirian's drawing of a person in a green dress. There are stars, the moon and a rainbow in the background.

Her mum Amanda said: “Seirian is so proud of her Star Award and we think all children who are diagnosed with cancer should receive one.”

After her diagnosis when she was seven, Seirian started chemotherapy which was switched to immunotherapy after experiencing a clot on the brain. This, along with multiple infections, kept her in hospital for long periods. 

Amanda said: “Seirian had lots of side effects including problems with her mobility and joint pain, but she kept positive, kept going and always had a smile for everyone.  She is a true star.

“We couldn’t be more proud of the incredible human being that Seirian is, facing fear, pain and struggles with such incredible courage.”

Star Awards

Every child nominated receives the accolade, which is backed by a host of famous faces, including children’s poet and author Joseph Coelho, US singer, dancer and reality TV star JoJo Siwa, pop icon Pixie Lott, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker. 

There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. The awards are open to all under 18s who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years.

As well as a star-shaped trophy, all nominees receive a £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities. Siblings also receive a certificate too. 

Other Stars helping to launch this year’s awards include Franklin and Oliver, whose treatment has been on our FAR-RMS trial, and Ismaeel and Olivia, who are both on our ALLTogether-1 trial.

A collage of the five children holding their star trophy. — Oliver (top left), Ismaeel (top right ), Franklin (bottom left), Olivia (bottom right ), and Morgane (centre)

Seven-year-old Oliver, from Middlesbrough, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma – a cancer of the soft tissue – in December 2021. His mum Becci said: “His consultant mentioned the FAR-RMS trial and it felt like it was the best option. On the trial, Oliver’s treatment was randomised and he had a higher dose of the proton beam therapy as a result.

“Research is so important to give all the kids the best chance. He loved receiving the Star Award too – he is very proud of it.” 

In December 2024, two-year-old Franklin, from Sussex, was also diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma and is still having daily chemotherapy on the FAR-RMS trial.

Dad George said: “It’s so surreal that it is a year since we got that news.

“Over the year, he has been up and down with infections, and his dosage of maintenance treatment was changed, but he is doing ok now.”

Ismaeel, from Glasgow, was diagnosed with ALL in January this year. The eight-year-old had to learn to walk again after cancer fractured his spine and is now on maintenance chemotherapy treatment as part of the ALLTogether-1 trial.

Dad Zayyan said they were pleased to support the Star Awards.

Olivia, seven, from Cheshire, finished her treatment this summer. She said “I love my Star Award as it makes me feel happy and brave”. Olivia was also diagnosed with ALL in June 2023 and started two years of chemotherapy on the ALLTogether-1 trial. Parents Sarah and Dan said Olivia had to miss a lot of school but remained a true superstar throughout.

Morgané, 15, from London, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in July 2024 after noticing a lump on her right hand. She had to have months of chemotherapy and her mum Claire nominated her for the Star Award.

Morgané said: “Mum thought it would be a nice surprise for me to receive it – and it was!”

Morgané is now studying hard for her GCSEs so she can start at fashion college in September and is also back cheerleading with her squad – they are looking forward to performing at Wembley in February.

Nominate a child or young person for a Star Award at cruk.org/starawards 