Liesel Angel with her mum Lovia Ofori-Agyemang in Great Ormond Street Hospital

‘I can’t bring back my Liesel but I can help other victims’ - cancer girl’s mum holding tribute concert in South Woodford

by Alistair Kleebauer, Senior reporter Friday, February 22, 2013
12:55 PM

The life of a three-year-old girl who died of cancer will be celebrated in South Woodford tomorrow as her family try to raise funds to help others in the same situation.

Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumour in childhood, and it makes up 8 per cent of the total number of children’s cancers.

Most children who get this cancer are under five years old and under 100 children are diagnosed every year.

Neuroblastoma most commonly occurs in:

- either one of the two adrenal glands situated in the abdomen (tummy)

- nerve tissue that runs alongside the spinal cord, in the neck, chest, abdomen

or pelvis.

The PowerLand Chapel International church in Raven Road will host a gospel concert to remember Liesel Angel Appiah-Boakye who died in 2012 of neuroblastoma stage IV childhood cancer, a cancer of specialised nerve cells.

Her mother Lovia Ofori-Agyemang and father Francis Appiah-Boakye have set up a trust in their daughter’s name and they want to raise £10,000 to buy a car to transport families with children with life-limiting conditions to hospital appointments.

Ms Ofori-Agyemang said: “My daughter’s life was cut short by this devilish disease and I can’t bring her back.

“I want the world to benefit from my pain and that’s why I’m going through with this.”

The concert will feature live music and speeches from paediatric oncologists who cared for Liesel Angel.

The brave girl, who lived in Hounslow, west London, was diagnosed with cancer aged one and had gone into remission before she became ill again and died aged three years and five months on February 3, 2012.

Donations

The church has also donated its Voice of Healing choir to sing at the event, which will mark the first anniversary of her death.

Her parents hope to raise money through a raffle at the event, with appliances and hampers donated by branches of Asda and Debenham’s, and through donations.

Ms Ofori-Agyemang said: “When your child is sick, you’re forever on the go. If you don’t have a ride, you’re paying for taxis and if you’re child is sick, you can’t work.”

The event is free to attend and starts at 6pm.

For information and to make a donation, visit www.lieselangeltrust.org.