AN inspirational teenager who has beaten cancer twice has been honoured with a major award.
Kira Noble, 13, scooped a Diana Award at a ceremony in Glasgow this week.
The awards, in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, are presented to youngsters who have overcome the odds or gone the extra mile to help others.
Kira, from Edinburgh, was nominated in recognition for her work to help other young patients on hospital wards, as well as through her Facebook page “Kira the Machine”.
When she was just 11 years old, she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer after complaining of pain in her abdomen.
After 15 months of difficult treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, she went into remission in October the following year.
But just months later, in February this year, she was given the shock news that the cancer had returned.
She is now once again in remission, and her upbeat attitude and inspiring messages on social media have won praise from friends, family and others. She also offers advice to families dealing with the disease. Kira has raised thousands of pounds for the Solving Kids’ Cancer charity.
She said: “It’s just a real honour to have something like this to show to people about how hard it is going through these journeys. I was in hospital with shingles when I found out so it really made my day.”
The 13-year-old is now back at school but still has to have regular tests at the Sick Kids hospital and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. She was nominated by John Macaulay of Radio Lollipop, based at the Sick Kids, and FACE (Fight Against Cancer Edinburgh) at Western General Hospital.
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