ELTHAM: Friends, neighbours gave valuable support

A MESSAGE of thanks has been sent to readers by a family grieving the loss of their 10-year-old daughter to a rare disease.

Diane, 38, and Graham Cowley, 39, of Lynsted Gardens, Eltham, have asked the News Shopper to forward thanks to all the people and organisations who supported Stacey in her illness.

The couple say residents of Bexleyheath, Thamesmead and Abbey Wood were especially kind.

Stacey was diagnosed with a rare, predominantly male, cancer called desmoplastic small round cell tumour, in March 2000, and, at the age of eight, embarked on a battle against the disease.

The former pupil at Bishop John Robinson Primary School, in Thamesmead, began a year of intensive chemotherapy, often spending weeks at a time in hospital.

Throughout this time, her parents were amazed by the generosity of people in the Eltham and Chislehurst area.

After the first year, Stacey decided the chemotherapy had become too much and the family visited a specialist doctor who helped rearranged her diet to help her battle against the cancer.

Throughout her illness, she was also supported by Tottenham Hotspur football club, which raised money and organised days out for her.

Stacey met fullback Ben Thatcher and Uruguayan midfield star Gus Poyet, who made her day one Saturday by giving her his shirt.

Diane said: "Words cannot express our gratitude and compassion towards all of our family and friends who supported us.

"Without their support and friendship, we would not have been able to make the last 21 months of her life so memorable and been able to care for her 24 hours a day throughout this time.Our thanks cannot be put into words."

Stacey died peacefully at her home on Thursday, December 13 last year.

She was cremated at Lewisham Crematorium on Friday, December 21.