YOUNG leukaemia patient Scarlett Clarkson is urging Oxford Mail readers to “walk just five kilometres and help find a cure for my cancer.”

The brave seven-year-old was chosen to launch this year’s Race for Life at Oxford’s University Parks on Sunday, July 15.

Event organiser Cancer Research UK, hopes 6,500 local women and girls will sign up for this year’s event and raise more than £300,000 for vital research into all cancers.

Scarlett, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in January last year, was joined by her mum Bryony and Oxford University scientists at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology to issue the rallying cry: “It’s all of us versus cancer.”

The Dragon School pupil, who lives in Oxford, said: “I can’t wait to start Race for Life.

“It will be very exciting as mummy is running the race and it will help people who have cancer, which is important.”

Before her diagnosis Scarlett had been generally poorly, suffering ear infections, coughs, colds and high temperatures. But when her parents noticed unexplained bruising on her eyelids they took her to their GP.

The doctor immediately picked up worrying symptoms and within hours she had been diagnosed with cancer at the Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Her mum said: “It came as a shock to us but Scarlett was so lucky our GP had experienced leukaemia and recognised she had an enlarged liver and spleen, which can be typical symptoms.”

Scarlett has since had three courses of intensive treatment and is on daily chemotherapy.

But apart from three weeks in hospital and occasional admissions due to infections, she has managed to stay at school and carry on her favourite sports, including swimming.

Her treatment is due to last two and a half years. She will then be monitored to ensure she does not have a relapse.

Mrs Clarkson, 40, and her husband Dan, 38, who also have a son, Finn, 10, and daughter Madeleine, four, are very proud of the way Scarlett has coped.

Mrs Clarkson said: “The treatment made her feel very unwell at times, but she is quite incredible in the way she has coped.”

For encouragement, Scarlett’s parents gave her £1 for every needle she faced. When a nurse asked Scarlett what toy she planned to buy with her reward, she revealed she planned to buy a trophy, like those given to sportsmen, inscribed with: “Because I am brave.”

Becky Ryczowski, Cancer Research UK’s South East events manager, said: “Scarlett’s story is moving and inspiring.

“It’s all of us versus cancer and we need to raise money for the kind of research that is helping to save Scarlett’s life.”

To take part, go to the website raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111.