A LITTLE girl is celebrating the first anniversary of a life-saving transplant by starting school.

Four-year-old Keira Lisher has faced many challenges since being diagnosed with a very rare childhood cancer.

However, walking into Warden Park Primary Academy in Haywards Heath was the start of a bit of much-needed normality for the youngster.

Keira was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia in May 2014, which affects only five children a year in Great Britain.

She had been generally unwell, prompting her parents Yvette and Martin to take her to the doctor and their nearest hospital.

She was eventually diagnosed and underwent chemotherapy treatment and a stem cell transplant.

Following the transplant she was left with no immune system and, as well as losing her hair and suffering temperature spikes, her recovery was dogged by infections.

Keira, who still has regular check-ups, won’t complete her treatment until she is 18 years old.

Although she is doing well she still has to deal with the effects of her treatment, which requires the youngster to continue to draw on her courage.

Mrs Lisher, 26, who also has daughter Chloe, six and son Jack, two, said: “The treatment has left Keira with a terrible fear of needles. She still gets infections because her bone marrow is still not fully working.

“She is so scared of needles she needs to be sedated to get the treatment she needs.”

However Mrs Lisher said Keira was very excited about starting school.

She said: “It is coming up to a year since she had her stem cell transplant but everything is slowly getting back to normal. "We feel like we are getting through the worst.

“Keira coped with months of treatment with unbelievable bravery, strength and resilience. She was an inspiration to us all.”

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the Lisher family is backing the Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens campaign, which aims to beat childhood cancers sooner.

Mrs Lisher said: “Success stories like ours would not be possible without Cancer Research UK’s lifesaving work, which in turn relies on everyone who raises vital funds.

“Now we’re determined to do everything we can to help other families spend more precious moments together.

“It’s thanks to research that Keira is here today.”