An East Belfast girl who has gone through 10 months of gruelling cancer treatment has been honoured for her bravery and fighting spirit.
10-year-old Poppy Ogle from the Cregagh area was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer after a lump was found on her scalp in January of last year, with doctors originally believing that it was a cyst.
Poppy had surgery in January to remove the lump and began a course of chemotherapy. This sadly proved to be unsuccessful leading her to have a further two major surgeries to remove a regrowth of the tumour. This also involved her losing a section of her skull.
Read more: Belfast mum's brush with cancer has given her and her family a new perspective
However during that time the cancer spread to her lungs and she started nine cycles of an intensive course of chemotherapy which saw her spend every other week at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
The young girl also started a course of radiotherapy for eight weeks during the summer.
The treatment, which lasted until October, had a huge impact on Poppy's body but she refused to let her spirit drop and continued to battle the disease with a resilience and determination inspiring her family to stay positive about the future.
Her mum Sharon said: "For a child to get cancer is a very rare thing but to be diagnosed with one as rare as Poppy's was something that we could have never imagined.
"The past year has been so tough on Poppy and our family but throughout all of her treatment and surgeries she has never stopped being our smiling and happy girl. The way that she has fought through it all has been an inspiration to all of us.
"She has been so laid back about everything she really doesn't understand all of the fuss that everyone has been making about her. She is just an amazing young girl and we are so proud of her.
Following her intense treatment in October Poppy had positive scans and commenced maintenance therapy. This allowed her blood levels to improve so she could gradually return to her beloved Girls' Brigade again, with the group recently recognising her bravery throughout the ordeal.
Earlier this month Poppy was presented with the GBNI Endurance Award by the Girls' Brigade Northern Ireland President Isobel McKane, because of the courage she has shown throughout her treatment and willingness to help and support others while she was going through such a difficult time.
Sharon said: "Poppy's older sister has been attending the Girls' Brigade since she was little and Poppy had been desperate to follow in her footsteps and joined when she was three years old. Although if it was up to her she would have joined even earlier.
"During her treatment she was determined to stay a part of it and would take part through Zoom, even though sometimes she felt a bit shy about appearing on camera due to her hair loss. Although after a few months she built up the confidence to put those fears away and it was wonderful to see how everyone embraced and supported her.
"Covid was particularly hard on families whose children were going through cancer treatment due to the isolation and having to stay away from others, but Poppy still wanted to do what she could to try and help them and we now bring treats up to the cancer ward every week to try and give a boost to everyone there.
"Because of her dedication to the Girls' Brigade during her treatment and her willingness to think about and support others, the Girls' Brigade President awarded her with their special endurance award, which is not something that they give out very often.
"We are just so proud and amazed by everything that she has done over the past year and we are very thankful to the Girls' Brigade for recognising her in such a touching way."
Read more: Donna McGarry tributes to "amazing woman, great friend and incredible wife and mother"
Read more: NI man's tribute to devoted wife who died after brain tumour diagnosis
