A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl from Dorset has “touched and inspired” some of the biggest and most famous dancers in the UK after beating cancer. 

Keeley Parfitt won a national award after beating a rare cancer found near her eye called rhabdomyosarcoma.

She has won a Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Award and received a personal video message from the dance troupe Diversity and Ashley Banjo. 

Keeley, from Gillingham, had chemotherapy treatment in Southampton as well as proton beam therapy in Florida.     

In his message, Ashley Banjo invited Keeley to watch the group at this year's panto at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. 

Bournemouth Echo: Keeley, aged 9Keeley, aged 9 (Image: Cancer Research UK)

Keeley was nominated for her Star Award by her mum, Faye, and there is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition.  

As well as a star-shaped trophy, Keeley also received a £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and certificate signed by the celebrities.  

Her brothers and sisters, Alana, 13, Thomas, 10 and Ella, six, received a certificate too.     

Keeley, a keen dancer and fan of Diversity was just three years old when her mum spotted an issue with her eye in 2017.    

The mum-of-four said: “I noticed her left eye was sticking out a little bit and it wasn’t level with the other one.  

“I took her to the optician who thought it was conjunctivitis but when it didn’t improve after several investigations, I pushed to be referred to Salisbury District Hospital.    

“Within one appointment they knew straight away that it was something serious and they kept us in overnight.

"The next day we were sent to University Hospital Southampton who confirmed that Keeley had a type of cancer called ‘rhabdomyosarcoma’.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Keeley Parfitt, 9 and from Gillingham

Faye had never heard of this type of cancer and said her daughter’s diagnosis “took a while to sink in”. 

“The doctors and nurses carried out a lumber puncture and fitted a ‘wiggly’ – a tube to take blood and to give her treatment through. 

“Considering her age, Keeley did so well and let them do whatever they needed to. She even came up with her own explanations for the procedures like ‘doing my numbers’ for things like blood tests.    

“She received chemotherapy from August to October then the following month, Keeley and I were sent to Florida for her to receive proton beam therapy.

"It was a tough two months as Keeley had a general anaesthetic for her treatment almost every day. We were also separated from the rest of the family over the Christmas period which was hard.” 

Now, the tumour does remain behind Keeley’s eye but it is contained and she has MRI scans every year to make sure there are no changes. 

Her sight is slightly reduced in that eye but it hasn't stopped her from doing the things she loves like dancing and swimming.    

Her mum added: “I nominated Keeley for a Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Award because of how brilliantly she handled everything that she had to face at such a young age.  

“Being so tiny, you’d think it would be difficult, but she did so well getting through her treatment.” 

Around 120 children are diagnosed with cancer in the south west every year, but research is helping to save more lives.      

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the south, Elisa Mitchell, said: “Keeley is a real star who has been through so much at such a young age. It has been an absolute privilege to be able to celebrate her courage with a Star Award.      

“Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults, from the types of cancer to the impact of treatment - and many youngsters may experience serious long-term side effects. That’s why we’re supporting dedicated research to ensure more children and young people survive cancer with a good quality of life.” 

Elisa is urging people to nominate inspirational children for a Star Award. To nominate a star visit cruk.org/starawards.