NOT many children get to set foot in 10 Downing Street, but Scarlett Clarkson had a special appointment with the Prime Minister’s wife.
Ten-year-old Scarlett, who has had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since she was six, went to meet Samantha Cameron to talk about the condition.
The North Oxford resident went with other young patients as part of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Despite initial chemotherapy, Scarlett suffered a relapse and will need continuous treatment for the next two years.
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Scarlett spent most of December at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, where she underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and steroid treatment. There she met Mrs Cameron for the first time, and the pupil at Oxford’s Dragon School said: “Mrs Cameron remembered me from when she visited me in hospital last year.
“I told her that I wasn’t sure she would remember me as this time I didn’t have my pyjamas on.
“My favourite thing was walking up and knocking on the shiny front door.”
In June Scarlett’s father, Dan Clarkson, put together and led Blenheim Triathlon team Scarlett’s Dragons, including Radiohead star Colin Greenwood.
The team of 22 raised more than £100,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, which arranged the trip to Number 10.
Mr Clarkson, 40, said: “We’ve had a lot of support from the charity, which is trying to raise awareness for the children.
“It’s not just about the research; cancer has a huge impact on these children’s lives that doesn’t go away.”
Mr Clarkson, married to Bryony, 42, and also father to Finn, 13, and Madeleine, seven, said: “Mrs Cameron very kindly lent her support to the charity to raise its profile and funds.
“She stopped and had a quick chat with Scarlett when she recognised her. It was extremely nice.
“It was amazing to go to Number 10. You only ever see it on the news. It was quite special to go and see it up close.”
The construction company executive added: “Scarlett was over the moon about having her picture taken at the front door. The grin on her face was amazing.”
The charity’s chief executive, Cathy Gilman, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Mrs Cameron for inviting us to Downing Street, and listening to our patients’ stories.
“Treatment for childhood leukaemia has come such a long way in terms of improving survival rates, but sadly some children are left with long-term side-effects as a result of their treatment.”
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