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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jon Brady

Sister of Scots girl who went viral in lockdown praises her resilience as she beats cancer

The sister of Falkirk schoolgirl Mila Sneddon says it means "more than anyone can know" to see her little sibling beat cancer during lockdown.

Jodi Sneddon has praised her sister's resilience after the seven-year-old rang the bell to end her treatment last week.

Mila became one of the iconic faces of the coronavirus lockdown after an image of her waving to dad Scott through the window of her home went viral.

She had been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer, at the age of four - just months before the UK went into lockdown in March 2020.

Mila with teacher Jenny Lenathen at a "guard of honour" welcoming her back to school (Lynda Sneddon/Twitter)

The Record previously reported how proud mum Lynda revealed online that her girl had finally entered remission after more than three years fighting the disease.

She has since been welcomed back to school with a "guard of honour" from her fellow classmates.

Writing for ITV News Jodi, who is training to be a journalist, said the era had been "the most challenging time in my life".

She wrote: "My mum was so upset, my dad was concerned and trying to take in all the facts.

"I was devastated and didn’t really understand how this would affect our once happy family.

"It crossed my mind that we could possibly lose my little sister - I just knew nothing about the disease and was trying to make sense of it."

Mila has met with royalty on her cancer journey (PA)

Jodi recalled that Mila gained weight because of her medication and that her hair would come out in mum Lynda's hands as she washed it.

But the youngster's resilience in the face of adversity during the pandemic captured the nation's hearts.

The photo of her and dad Scott - who left the house to keep working and protect Mila from Covid - led to her meeting the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge and appearing on ITV's Lorraine.

Jodi added: "All through this, though, Mila still had to endure rounds of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, lumbar punctures, and admissions to hospital.

"For such a young age, her positive attitude towards life really is to be admired.

"I have watched her recover and witnessed first hand the lows along the way. Seeing Mila ring her bell to signify the end of treatment means more than anyone can know.

"I feel that ringing the bell allows Mila to be a kid again - to recover the childhood she wants to have.

"Whatever happens next, I will be with her every step of the way.

"Mila, you did it. I love you."

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