THE parents of a brave young girl diagnosed with cancer and a rare condition say their life “has taken a complete turn”, as they desperately appeal for support.

Amelia Jones, nine, from Colchester, has Grade C (Stage 4) Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer and Addison’s Disease, which can cause weakness, fainting and cramps.

Her mum and dad, Scott, 32, and Gemma, 34, received the devastating news last month after doctors discovered a 24mm mass behind her pituitary gland.

The tumour was found after Amelia went for an MRI scan following her Addison’s Disease diagnosis around the same time as Gemma had an ectopic pregnancy.

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“Amelia is bright, funny, sassy and full of energy but in March we noticed a change in Amelia and something was not quite right,” added the couple.

“On November 22 we got the call we had been dreading... the tumour was cancer and causing a lot of problems in Amelia's developing body.

“Life since then has taken a complete turn for our family.”

Since being referred and then admitted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, Amelia and her parents have made multiple trips to and from the specialist facility.

The little fighter has had a lumbar puncture operation to remove spinal fluid, a biopsy, surgery to place a Hickman Line in her chest, and chemotherapy.

Scott and Gemma added: “The first course of chemo has really taken its toll on Amelia causing mucositis so she had to have a feeding tube to get the right nutrition.

“Amelia had a few really rough nights recently and ended up throwing the feeding tube up, the rest of which Gemma had to pull out.

"But she has been so strong throughout all of this and remains positive and is trying to be her normal self, as much as she can."

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Amelia’s parents, who also have four other children, are now looking to raise thousands of pounds to cover the cost of juggling family life, work and their daughter’s care.

They added: “Scott has had to stop work completely to look after our other children and try to run family life as normal.

“At the same time, Gemma and Amelia continue to stay overnight at Addenbrooke’s, with brief nights at home while Amelia is still capable.

“We are awaiting Amelia’s next course of chemotherapy and have been told this is a six-month or longer process to hopefully cure Amelia of cancer.

“During this time, Scott physically will not be able to work so in reality we need what he would normally get in his job over six months.

"Financially, we just don't know how we are going to get through this so we're reaching out for help and support."

To donate visit tinyurl.com/2p979589.