Brave Zoe plans birthday bash
Life for Shrewsbury teenager Zoe Nicholls has been turned upside down after she was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer last year.
The 14-year-old has not been to school for a year and stopped receiving treatment for Ewings Sarcoma, a very rare form of soft tissue cancer, in May.
But the brave and determined teenager is planning a big celebration with all her friends and family.
She will celebrate her 15th birthday at the end of the month.
Zoe, a pupil at the Priory School, received chemotherapy when she was diagnosed in October, but the treatment affected her heart and made her too sick and it was decided to stop.
Mum Jackie Nicholls, of Wyebourne Road, said the teenager's ability to keep smiling despite her illness was incredible.
She said: "The treatment was horrendous. She had eight months of treatment and she was virtually bed-ridden.
"It was very vigorous. Chemotherapy is very toxic and she has not been able to cope with that.
"We decided to stop because it was making her so poorly and physically she would not have been able to cope with surgery. It is a nasty, horrible form of cancer.
"All the way through, she has been incredible.
"Her party is her drive and determination to keep going.
"We have been doing as much as possible since May and taken her lots of places and given her the best time possible which is what's important now so it's important to have a very memorable party with all her friends and family and all the people who have supported her."
Zoe, the youngest of five children, will celebrate her birthday at the Lord Hill Hotel on August 26.
She said: "It's been very frightening since October and a bit worrying at times. I'm looking forward to my birthday and celebrating with all my friends."
On Friday, hairdressers at Rizzo's salon, Mardol, will work in their pyjamas to raise money for the children's oncology ward at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Stylist Charlotte Callaghan is engaged to Zoe's brother Dan, and said: "We are buying three laptops for the children's ward and we are going to have a raffle at Zoe's party."
Throughout Friday's fun charity day the team at Rizzo's would like to encourage clients to make a donation at the salon or buy a raffle ticket, which will be put into a prize draw at Zoe's party.
By Rebecca Lawrence
