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Please Help Tillie Mae celebrate her 5th birthday
8 years ago
Tillie Mae Aird loves surprises, so this year when she asked her mum and dad for ‘lots of surprises’ for her birthday, her parents hope to fulfil her wish in the most special way, by inviting the public to send her a birthday card.
Four year old Tillie, from Ellesmere Port, was diagnosed with a Wilms’ Tumour in December 2015. After visiting hospital with what they thought was a water infection, her parents Rachel and Jason were given the devastating news.
Wilms’ Tumour is a type of kidney cancer in children which most often affects children under the age of five. About 70 children in the UK develop the tumour each year.
Since December, Tillie has undertaken a course of chemotherapy every week at Alder Hey, an eight day course of targeted radiotherapy and has had major surgery to remove her affected kidney.
All the family have been supporting Tillie on her journey to recovery. In May, her older sister Daisy, along with her friends Lacey and Alannah cut their hair and donated it to the Little Princess Trust.
Tillie’s mum Rachel also started a Facebook page, ‘Tillie Mae’s Story’, so her friends and family can follow her journey and keep updated with photos and all the latest news.
Despite the diagnosis, Tillie is just like every other little girl. She loves watching Disney films, going to birthday parties and receiving surprises. So for Tillie’s 5th birthday on 21 July, her family is celebrating by organising a special birthday party.
The party will take place on 20 July, a day before her birthday, at Bubbles’ World of Play in New Brighton. Tillie’s mum Rachel contacted the soft play centre to ask if she could privately hire it, as due to her illness there is a high chance of infection in public spaces. Bubbles responded to the request and invited Tillie and her friends to have the entire soft play centre for free.
Over 40 of Tillie’s friends have been invited to help her celebrate turning five and will enjoy a fun-filled day at Bubbles.
To coincide with the party, her parents are asking the public to make one small gesture which would make Tillie’s 5th birthday extra special.
Tillie’s mum is appealing to the Merseyside public to send birthday cards for Tillie to open at her party.
Rachel Aird, Tillie’s mum says: “We want to make Tillie’s 5th Birthday extra special by making lots of positive memories, from a very tough time in her life. We also hope that sharing Tillie’s story with people that don’t know us, can help bring awareness of kidney cancers (particular Wilms tumours) and how it’s not just a case of removing the kidney/tumour and getting on with your life, it’s a long journey to recovery.
“Tillie has gone through more than any 4 year old should, and something as simple as a birthday card would make her feel so special.”
To send a card to Tillie, please send it to: Tillie Mae Aird, Bubbles’ World of Play, Marine Point, Kings Parade, New Brighton, CH45 2PB. Alternatively, you can drop the cards off at the soft play centre.
Share this campaign too! Use the hashtag #TilliesBirthday to support on social media.
Follow Tillie’s story on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Tillie-Maes-Story-772920499479479/