A remarkable teenager, who has battled cancer twice in the past two years, has been an inspiration to other young patients after sharing her journey on her Facebook page 'Kira the Machine'. Speaking exclusively to HELLO!, Kira Noble, age 13, has opened up about her story and has explained why receiving a Diana Award, which recognised the youngster's courage in selflessly transforming the lives of others just like Diana did, means the world to her. "This award has proved that I have helped others," she explained. "I hope I've just made a difference. There are loads of young people that help others but not many people can say that they have this award. To have this award, is a huge privilege."
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In 2014, Kira was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma; a cancer that is becoming increasingly prevalent in young people. Despite being just 11 years old at the time, her courageous attitude has inspired the lives of all around her. Whilst in hospital she offered support to other cancer sufferers and their families as well as raising awareness of her condition through social media. Recalling the moment she realised the cancer had returned, she explained: "I wasn't actually that scared. There's nothing else you could really do. I just got on with it and took it in my stride and move forward. I didn’t break down because the cancer's come back, I broke down because I couldn't do much sport. I didn't really care about having to do treatment again."
Kira Noble, age 13, has opened up about her journey with cancer
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Although her school friends have been a huge support to her throughout her whole journey, it has been company of fellow cancer patients who help Kira remain positive. "I met lots of people, friends which I have made for life," she added. "I'm still in contact with a lot of them, I still meet up with them now. It's good to know that you're not the only one going through this but in a way it's also very sad. However, it's nice to know you have people there to support you. If you talk to your other friends, they don't understand it because they haven't been through it."
Kira's mother Aud has revealed how proud she is of her daughter's upbeat outlook and her inspiring social media presence. "Kira did all this with a view to helping others, not for herself," she confided. "She wanted to create something positive out of something so negative." She added: "It's been fantastic to see how useful she has been to other people. But to watch your child go through chemo, as a parent it has been so difficult. "
The remarkable teenager was recently awarded with a Diana Award
Recalling the moment she learnt of Kira having cancer, Aud described as if someone had "repeatedly punched her in the stomach." She said: "When I first learnt she had cancer, I felt like I was being knocked down, punched repeatedly in the stomach. There was so much disbelief, you can't believe how in a split second, your world just falls apart at the seams and how your life has been turned upside down. In that split second, you're now in a part of another world."
Aud, who comes from Edinburgh, also explained how Kira became the "in between" person between a child cancer sufferer and their parents. Fighting back the tears, she revealed: "Kira has been very handy to some of the parents in the hospital ward. One child kept banging her head and the mother was asking why she was doing that. Kira explained to her, 'Well the feelings in your head when going through chemo is like hell on earth. You just want to get rid of it.' So obviously this little girl who was so much younger was trying to get rid of the pain by banging her head. Someone who hasn't gone through chemo, can't understand what the person is going through and Kira was on hand to explain it."
Kira's courageous attitude has inspired the lives of all around her
Proud of her daughter's achievements, Aud added: "You can't control what life is going to deal you, but what you can control is the way you play the game. We are the directors of our own mindset." She went on to share her delight over Kira's Diana award. "It's great to have this award, to have something tangible, something that you can see and feel," she said. "It's a token of appreciation from others, basically saying a thank you for what you're doing."
The Diana Award has achieved so much, and you can help! With a £30 donation, you can help to give a young person the skills, confidence and resilience to stand up to bullying through specialised training, give a vulnerable young person a mentor, and contribute towards to Award Programme, which rewards and celebrates a young person making a positive change in the world. Check out www.justgiving.com/dianaaward to find out more.
