Brave teen Morgan praises Telford hospital's cancer care

Morgan Murray, 15, was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma almost a year ago after discovering lumps in her neck.

After a difficult bout of illness and undergoing treatment, she is feeling much better but her family, of St Georges, said they are concerned about proposals to relocate the women and children's centre at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, where the teenager spent countless hours receiving life saving chemotherapy and tests.

Morgan, who attends Hadley Learning Community, said: "Around this time last year I wasn't feeling well. I got admitted to hospital because there were lumps in my neck.

"I went to see my GP who thought the referral would take two weeks, but the PRH was really on the ball and saw me within two days.

"It was nice in the children's oncology unit. I did stay in the women's ward at one stage. It's comfy and really nice."

Her mother Laura, 34, said: "All of our three children were born at PRH. We've always received amazing care.

"From personal experience we've never had any problems there."

Morgan's father Nigel, 42, said: "When they did the scan at Telford they could see the cancer mass behind her rib cage. They immediately sent her to Birmingham Children's Hospital in an ambulance with Laura at her side for further treatment. She stayed there for eight nights and underwent surgery for the biopsy and the tubes inserted."

After that, the schoolgirl visited the PRH numerous times including two 28 treatment cycles. She still attends the women and children's centre that only opened two years ago at cost of £28 million, for scans every 12 weeks.

"It's a good job that we have these facilities on our door step because we would have to go to Birmingham every time she felt sick instead of just a 10-minute drive down the road," Nigel added.

The family has so far raised £2,000 in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust to improve hospital facilities for young patients.

Their next effort is a luxury Christmas hamper raffle for which tickets are on sale at Mac's Store, in West Street, priced at £2. Items include wine and a chocolate tower and the draw will be on December 23.

Mr and Mrs Murray also plan to take part in the Birmingham Half-Marathon next October, while Morgan hopes to do a sponsored skydive.

They are aiming to raise £5,000.