4-year-old who fought a brain tumour celebrates end of treatment

Layla Hackney, from Appleton, was treated at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Wirral, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in August.

After six weeks of radiotherapy Layla left the treatment room for the last time and was greeted by Princess Anna from Frozen.

The pair sang songs together in front of proud staff and Layla’s parents, Mike, 31, and Rachel, 33.

Layla was crowned a princess by Anna before she rang the end-of-treatment bell.

The Appleton Thorn Primary School pupil was diagnosed after suffering from consistent headaches.

An MRI scan revealed a 5cm tumour on the right side of her brain.

She was in surgery for four-and-a-half hours to remove the tumour but tests revealed it was malignant.

Layla's Mum, Rachel, explained: “Layla has handled the whole thing really well.

“She is quite grown up for her age so we have explained everything to her the whole way through so she understands what is happening and can accept it.”

Children aged four would sometimes have a general anaesthetic so they can keep still during treatment but Rachel said Layla didn't want to miss out on going to school.

She said: "As soon as we told Layla that she wouldn’t be able to go to school after treatment if she went to sleep she said she would be able to stay absolutely still – and she did.

"She goes to Appleton Thorn primary school and loves it– she didn’t want to miss out.

"The worst thing for her was being on her own during radiotherapy as no one is allowed in the room but the radiotherapists have a long loom band so patients like Layla can hold one end and I could hold the other outside the room which made her feel better.”

On the day of her final radiotherapy treatment, staff at the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity arranged for Princess Anna of Frozen fame to surprise her, thanks to the Princess Experience in Liverpool.

Rachel said: “Layla loves Disney princesses.

"She saves up all her pocket money to buy them and she watches Disney films on a loop.

"She was so overwhelmed and excited to meet Anna and wanted to go and tell all her friends straight away.

“All the staff at Clatterbridge were amazing.

"Everyone chatted to her and the little touches they did to make the experience better for her were wonderful.

"It made what could have been a frightening experience so much more comfortable for her."

Layla will still need to return to the hospital for scans and possibly more treatment in the future.

Sarah Stead, specialist paediatric radiographer, said: "Children undergoing this type of treatment can spend a lot of time in different hospitals undergoing different types of procedures and treatments.

"We do everything we can do to make their experience here as good as possible and we hope today is something Layla will always remember.

"Seeing her face when she first spotted Anna was lovely and we are so pleased she enjoyed the Princess experience."