Parents who thought their little girl had jaundice when she began turning yellow during a family holiday to Disneyland were shocked to discover she had cancer.
Lola Bilbie, from Watford, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma - bone cancer - two years ago when she was just six.
Her mother Claire said her daughter seemed happy and healthy, despite her discolouration.
The 44-year-old said: “Doctors initially thought it was a problem with her liver, but it was only during surgery that they realised it was actually a tumour.
“When the hospital first said our daughter had cancer, I was absolutely devastated. You almost don’t believe it when they say the ‘c’ word.
“It’s so hard as a parent to see your child go through this, you just wish you could take their place.”
Lola, who has a 10-year-old brother called Max, endured six months of intensive chemotherapy and a month of radiotherapy, followed by maintenance chemo during which she lost her hair and suffered sickness.
But her fiery, determined personality helped her handle the gruelling cancer treatment It never knocked her spirit, and sand she still loves riding her bike, swimming and roller-skating.
Mrs Bilbie said: “Had this have happened to someone quite meek it maybe would have knocked their confidence a bit, but Lola dealt with it well - she’s very strong-willed.”
She lost her hair and suffered sickness during her treatment, which she finished in August 2017.
She celebrated ringing the end of treatment bell at Great Ormond Street Hospital in August 2017 with mother Claire and father Kelvin.
Lola now has scans every three months to monitor her health.
Mrs Bilbie said: “Lola has finished her treatment now and is thriving. She’s enjoying life and returning to her fun, energetic self.”
Family life had been turned upside down for the Bilbies, but the charity CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, helped them every step of the way, from arranging play specialists to visit Lola in hospital and organising a blue badge to help with travelling.
Mrs Bilbie said: “From the moment we met Audrey, our CLIC Sargent social worker at Great Ormond Street Hospital, we felt supported.
“She offered us lots of practical help, such as giving us child friendly books to explain the condition to Lola and 10-year-old brother Max.
“He was old enough to remember that my mum died of cancer in 2009, so when we said Lola had cancer, he said ‘she’s going to die,’ which was difficult.”
“I want to give something back to this amazing charity that’s so close to our hearts and has helped our family through some dark times,” said Mrs Bilbie.
She has never run a mile - but will take part in the London Marathon on April 22 to support the CLIC Sargent charity.
“It was a moment of madness to sign up for the marathon - I’m not a runner at all.”
Mrs Bilbie has raised over £1,800 so far and hopes to raise up to £2,000 overall.
She added: “CLIC Sargent has done so much for us in a so many different ways.
“This marathon is about giving back. My motivation is thinking that I could do something for other families and to make my kids feel proud of me.”
To sponsor her’s London Marathon effort, and help to raise vital funds, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireBilbie
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