British toddler with cancer captures world’s heart and gains 11,000 followers

A British toddler is melting hearts around the globe after her mother started a blog about her battle with leukaemia.

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by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

Winnie Martin, 3, has more than 11,000 people following her struggle with cancer, after her mother began blogging about the family's journey.

Winnie, who was born with Down's syndrome, has been told her cancer is currently under control, but that she is highly likely to relapse.

Watch: Heartwarming video of ill children getting a special surprise in hospital

Doctor's have estimated her chances of survival at just 19 per cent.

Winnie was diagnosed with cancer at just 2 years old
Winnie was diagnosed with cancer at just 2 years old

Her mother, Nichola, 42, said: 'We want to do everything we can to keep Winnie alive.'

'We need to be prepared for what the future holds. When she relapses we need her on a plane to give her the best chance of life.'

Read: These parents made the heart-breaking decision to stop treatment for their little girl - so she can enjoy her last years.

Nichola added that Winnie's rise to online fame has been incredible, and that if she doesn't post an update each day she gets messages asking what the family have been upto.

'They've been there every step of the way, through the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs. We call them Winnie's army.'

Winnie was born 7 weeks early with heart and liver failure. However, her parents were later told that Winnie also had Down's Syndrome.

Winnie and her mother, Nichola

Baby Winnie had to fight off pneumonia twice, have heart surgery and survive a drug overdose in the early days of her life, but by 2012 Nichola and husband Michael, 37, finally thought they were back on the straight and narrow.

'We thought we were through the worst of it and were looking forward to a new chapter.'

But in October of that year, Winnie was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the age of two.

'I couldn't help thinking: "Why Winnie? Hasn't she coped with enough? She shouldn't have to cope with any more."'

The family then started a Facebook page to keep family and friends updated with Winnie's progress, as Nichola was staying by the tot's hospital bedside.

But as the followers kept growing, Nichola realised people were enchanted by Winnie and her bravery.

And whilst Winnie's cancer is under control at the moment - her parents are realistic that she could well relapse at any moment.

'We always have to keep one eye on the future and be prepared.'

DONATE to help pay for Winnie's treatment here.

Visit Winnie's official website here.

Take a look at Winnie's Facebook page here.

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