Three-year-old Stella Rogers went to the USA for life saving treatment after fundraisers collected £250,000

Three-year-old Stella Rogers was diagnosed with the rare cancer neuroblastoma when she was 17-months-old.

Before receiving the treatment she had trouble walking and was moved around in a pushchair.

She also required a feeding tube and found it difficult to play with other children.

Stella’s mum Allison Hyde, who grew up in Mottingham, said “She doesn’t have a feeding tube any more and she hasn’t got any central line tubes going into her chest.

“Before, she had to be washed in one inch of water. A new thing for her is actually having a bath.

"She loves turning on to her front and pretending to be a mermaid.”

Miss Hyde, a part-time school nurse, added: “She is continuing to grow and her skin is a lot better.

"She is now able to walk, run and jump. She is getting much stronger.”

In February last year News Shopper launched a campaign to help raise £250,000 to send Stella to the USA to receive a revolutionary antibody treatment.

Without the treatment she had a low chance of survival.

The family immediately flew to Philadelphia while fundraising continued in the UK including Greenwich University which raised £1,732 by holding a Swing for Stella concert at its Avery Hill campus.

Miss Hyde, a former Eltham Hill School pupil, said: “The bill was reduced to £220,000 because she didn’t need intensive care.

“I still can’t believe the money has been raised.

“I can’t find the words to say thank you to everybody. It’s just overwhelming.”

The extra cash went to The 2Simple Trust, which supports families who have children with neuroblastoma.

Miss Hyde, who remained in the USA until August while the treatment took place, said: “It was tough being away from home but I got glimpses of what was going on.

“Avery Hill campus sent me a recording of the music and a video of what happened at the fundraising event.”

Stella now has scans every three months to check she is in remission and her latest results showed she was clear of the cancer.

Miss Hyde, who now lives in Canterbury, said: “The most tense time is the first two years after treatment because there’s a chance of relapse.

“We try to make the most of every day. We try to enjoy the small things because it’s the simple things she missed out on.”

Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma affects around 100 children in the UK each year and is usually diagnosed in children under the age of five.

The percentage of patients still alive five years after diagnosis is 54 per cent.

Neuroblastoma is a cancer which starts in the abdomen usually in the adrenal glands or nerve tissue at the back of the abdomen.

The 2Simple Trust helps parents and families to raise funds so their children can access life saving treatments abroad.

To make a donation, visit 2simpletrust.org

Fundraising events held in the News Shopper area

-Montbelle Primary School in Milverton Way, Eltham, raised £527 for Stella’s appeal by holding a cake sale.

- The under 18’s team from Southmere F.C raised £460 by playing a match against their parents and relatives at Seven Acre Sports F.C, Church Manorway, Abbey Wood.

- Dartford Amateur Dramatics Society raised more than £1,600 by singing big band songs for Stella at the Charlotte pub on Station Road, Crayford.