Brave Seven Kings boy who almost died of leukaemia is given award

A schoolboy who �almost died before �undergoing gruelling cancer treatment has had his courage recognised through a special award.

Amarvir Chatha, seven, of Betchworth Road, Seven Kings, who was �diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September 2010, has �received a Cancer �Research Star Award.

Amarvir’s aunt, Sandip Chatha, who nominated him, said: “Amarvir has shown such bravery throughout his treatment and has been an inspiration to both his family and friends. We are all very proud of him.”

The first signs emerged after Amarvir returned from school unable to walk.

Mum Nikki said: “His organs were shutting down and he would need to go on a life support �machine. When we were told he might not make it through the night we couldn’t believe what we were hearing. We went �almost into a state of mourning, even though he was still alive.”

The St Aidan’s Catholic School, Seven Kings, student has finished �intensive treatment and is on maintenance treatment until next year.

Nikki added: “Things have been really tough for Amarvir and he has grown up quickly. We owe our son’s �survival to the incredible advances that have been made in children’s cancer research.”