Award for Portsmouth toddler who explained symptoms that led to devastating cancer diagnosis

Dulcie Gee was just three-years-old when she described to mum, Jade, that her head hurt and that her eye wouldn’t stay open.

Shortly afterwards the family were given the devastating news that Dulcie had B-lymphoblastic lymphoma – a rare type of blood cancer that doctors initially believed to be a brain tumour.

Now she’s 11 months into three years of treatment and to recognise her bravery, Dulcie has received a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Award.

Jade said: “Not only did Dulcie amaze us all by accurately describing her symptoms at a very young age to help us diagnose her cancer in the first place, but she’s been incredibly brave throughout both her surgery and her chemotherapy.

“She spends a lot of time in and out of hospital and she just gets on with it. I’m sure adults would complain about what she’s been through but Dulcie doesn’t moan at all. She’s so deserving of her Star Award.”

Every child nominated receives the accolade, which is backed by a host of famous faces, including children’s poet and author Joseph Coelho, US singer, dancer and reality TV star JoJo Siwa, pop icon Pixie Lott, TV personality Dr Ranj and children’s TV favourite Mister Maker.

There is no judging panel because the charity believes every child diagnosed with cancer deserves special recognition. The awards are open to all under 18s who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years.

As well as a star-shaped trophy, Dulcie also received a £50 TK Maxx gift card, t-shirt and a certificate signed by the celebrities. Her brother Billy, 9 and sister, Norah, 7 received a certificate too.

Dulcie and her family have been living with cancer for almost a year after the now four-year-old alerted her parents to symptoms last January.

Jade said: “She woke up screaming and crying saying her head hurt, so we took her to the doctors who thought she may need glasses. I also noticed one of her eyes had begun to look a little lazy. We were waiting for a hospital appointment when Dulcie said she was struggling to keep her eye open. I knew then that I needed to take her to A and E.

“The doctors at The Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth said her movements were all sightly one sided and suggested she had a CT scan. Shortly after, we were taken into a private room and I just knew it was something serious.

“We were told Dulcie had a brain tumour and that we would be taken to Southampton to meet the neurology team. We travelled there by ambulance and Dulcie had another scan before she was prepared to have brain surgery. It was so worrying but we knew we had no choice but to go ahead with the operation – it had to be done.

“What should have been a six to seven-hour operation ended up lasting around 10 hours. We were told to go home to help pass the time but decided to go back to the hospital so we could be nearby.

“When the operation finally ended, the surgeons were really pleased as they’d managed to get all the cancer out except a tiny bit at the top of her spine which they hoped the chemo would treat.

“Two days later, Dulcie amazed doctors by getting back on her feet and soon she was trotting around in her plastic heels with her dolls.

“We’d been discharged when we got a call to say come to the Piam Brown Unit at Southampton General Hospital. I felt numb and so nervous to hear what they were going to tell us.

“The oncology team explained that Dulcie didn’t have a brain tumour but actually had a type of blood cancer called B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, which falls under the leukaemia umbrella. Her doctors had never seen this type of cancer present itself as it had in Dulcie’s brain and said she was ‘one of a kind’.

“She began chemotherapy almost immediately and she lost her hair which her dad, Will, found really hard. We explained to her brother and sister what was going on but it was hard for them to see Dulcie so poorly. While we’ve been juggling Dulcie’s treatment and looking after them, they’ve both been a brilliant big brother and big sister.

“Dulcie’s spent lots of time on the Piam Brown ward and at the Queen Alexandra in Portsmouth receiving her intensive phase of treatment, but she’s just entered the maintenance treatment phase which she’ll continue to be on now until June 2027.

“She has a big scar on the back of her head and her eye currently points inwards because the tumour was pressing on a nerve, but we’re hopeful this can be corrected later.

“Dulcie’s had to give up nursery because of the risks of infection but she has a new little friend at home called ‘Buddy’ to keep her busy – her 10-week-old miniature Jack Russell puppy. Now, after spending much of 2025 apart, we’re hoping for a family Christmas at home with all of us together.”

Dulcie’s mum, Jade, nominated her for her award. She said: “As soon as I heard about the Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards, I put Dulcie forward. She’s been so brave throughout it all.

“She says to me now, ‘Do you remember when I got a headache at nursery? It doesn’t hurt anymore,’ so she understands what’s going on. “Hopefully in later years she won’t remember the tough days of treatment and the award will be something special to put in her keepsake box.

“She loved spending her voucher too and bought a ‘Wicked’ dress which she adores. Billy and Norah also loved receiving their certificates as cancer has had a huge impact on their lives too.”

Around 490 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer in the South East every year, but new discoveries and breakthroughs are leading to more effective and less toxic treatments.

Cancer Research UK is the biggest charitable funder of research into children’s and young people’s cancers in the UK. Our scientists led an important clinical trial testing a treatment (mitoxantrone) for children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) that had come back. This became the UK standard of care for these children and is still used as part of treatment today. Thanks to this trial, many more children with this disease can now expect to survive.

Thanks to vital work like this, children’s cancer survival in the UK has more than doubled since the 1970s. But the Star Awards help shine a light on the unique challenges still faced by children like Dulcie.

Cancer Research UK spokesperson for Hampshire, Elisa Mitchell, said: “We’re committed to driving forward progress to ensure more children and young people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. After everything Dulcie’s been through, it’s been an absolute privilege to celebrate her incredible courage with a Star Award.

“A cancer diagnosis is heart-breaking at any age, but it can be particularly difficult for youngsters - especially when many may experience life-long side effects from their treatment. That’s why we’re funding dedicated research to find new and better ways to beat this devastating disease.

“The Star Awards are a wonderful way to give these extraordinary children the special recognition they truly deserve, so we hope people across Hampshire get nominating now.”

Nominate a child or young person for a Star Award at cruk.org/starawards