Louis Knight from Worthing receives award from Cancer Research UK

Louis Knight, from Worthing, went into hospital in July after being diagnosed with a cancer that starts in immune cells called Burkitt Lymphoma.

The disease, which is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, can be rapidly fatal if left untreated.

Now Louis, who turned three on Monday, has been given the Star Award for courage from Cancer Research UK.

Louis’s family said they “could not be more proud” of the way he has coped with months of difficult, painful treatment and their greatest wish is to have him home at Christmas.

Louis has been given the Star Award for courage from Cancer Research UK

His dad Chris said: “Louis is barely three but he has already been through so much.

“It’s hard for him to understand why people keep prodding and poking him and giving him medicine that makes him sick.

“There have been so many ups and downs, with infections, sickness, temperature spikes, and some very scary moments.

“But despite this, there are small windows where he smiles, laughs, jokes and shows his cheeky monkey side.We are so proud of him and his fighting spirit.

“It’s touch and go whether he will be able to come home for Christmas, but that’s one gift we would all love.”

Signs of Louis’ illness first emerged six months ago when he began to rub his eye and complain of pain.

He was referred to Worthing Hospital for a scan which revealed a mass behind his eye.

The next day Louis’s family was asked to take him to Southampton Children’s Hospital ,where doctors confirmed he had a fast-growing tumour the size of an apricot at the top of his nose.

He has been in hospital receiving treatment since, with his parents Chris and Nicki taking it in turns to stay with him.

Little Louis before he was diagnosed

They were told to prepare for the worst when Louis suffered a life-threatening infection in his bowel, which Chris described as “the worst week of our lives”.

Louis managed to make one brief trip home in late summer and was delighted to see his big sister Isabelle for the first time in months.

“It was heart-melting to watch them,” said Chris. “They miss each other so much and Isabelle just wanted to cuddle him."

Louis is slowly recovering from the infection and doctors have advised his chemotherapy treatment is stopped, as they believe it could put his life at risk.

Chris said: “The uncertainty now is whether the treatment has been enough. We’ll get an initial indication by the end of the month.

“If we can’t have him home for Christmas, rather than postpone it, we will have two Christmasses.”

More children and young people are surviving cancer than ever before, but the disease still claims the lives of about 510 under-25s in the UK every year.

In the South East, about 240 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Every child nominated for the Star Award through Cancer Research UK receives the accolade. The awards are run in partnership with TK Maxx, and since 2004, the retailer has raised over £40m for the charity.

Lynn Daly, spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People for Sussex, said: “Louis has been through so much in his short life and has been a total star.

“Cancer can have a devastating impact on children and young people and many of those who survive may experience serious long-term side effects from their treatment.

“We’re encouraging people to nominate inspirational youngsters for this year’s Star Awards, so we can recognise more children like Louis.”

For more information, visit cruk.org/starawards.