A SCHOOLGIRL from Hutton who battled cancer at the age of 12 is running the London Marathon to support other children with the disease.
Charlotte Cox was settling in with new friends at St Martin's School when her life was dramatically turned upside down.
It was towards the end of her first year at the school that she noticed an unusual growth on her neck.
Her doctor originally thought she may have contracted glandular fever. However, following tests at Basildon Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in May 2007, it was revealed that she had mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a form of mouth cancer.
As if this news were not bad enough, the teenager, of Queenswood Avenue, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease.
This meant that just a week after diagnosis, she underwent a drastic four-hour life-saving operation at GOSH to remove the lump, which, by then, had grown to the size of a small plum.
The surgery was a success and, after six weeks of precautionary radiotherapy, Miss Cox was on the road to recovery.
Now aged 18, studying for her A levels and fighting fit, the aspiring photographer recalled the terrifying moment when she learned she was ill.
"When I got told it was cancer, I think I just laughed at first and I don't think I realised how serious it was because I was so young," she said.
"I was pretty positive, but of course I was scared and pretty afraid of needles at the time, but I soon got over that."
Miss Cox goes back to hospital once a year for check-ups. She has now set her sights on raising funds to help other children who are dealing with all strains of the disease.
Listening to Michael Jackson on her iPod, she trains four times a week over 19 miles and sometimes jogs all the way from Hutton to Billericay and back, in preparation for the gruelling 26.2-mile road race in April.
"After what's happened to me it's definitely opened my eyes to what people can go through at such a young age," Miss Cox said.
"It's so hard for young children to understand the concept of what they are having to go through.
"I remember sitting in the waiting room at the hospital with children who were crying their eyes out and they had no idea what was going on – it's very hard."
With no experience as a runner, Miss Cox happened to spot that applications were open for the race while she was surfing the internet in May last year.
She signed up and is now looking to raise £1,800 for CLIC Sargent, a charity that offers support to children with cancer and their families.
She said: "I'm obviously excited about the experience, but I'm just hoping I don't embarrass myself in front of so many people."
To sponsor Miss Cox visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Charlotte-Cox2
