Amy continues to defy odds

Gemma and Amy with their trophy haul, won just weeks before Amy returned to hospital for further chemotherapy treatment.

Amy Uprichard has continued to pursue her dancing dream since being diagnosed with leukaemia in May 2013. Having completed treatment for the disease, she was back in full training and preparing to take part in Craigavon Dance Festival when she discovered the leukaemia had returned.

The 17-year-old Banbridge Academy student, who completed her GCSEs while undergoing chemotherapy, was devastated to learn it had come back considering she’d been feeling so good. However, she hasn’t let it stop her pursuing her dream.

Her mum Sarah said: “We’d just got word the week before the festival that there were signs it was coming back. We were told they’d detected an abnormality showing it could be starting again.

“On the Friday of the festival Amy found out it was definitely back.

“Nothing was stopping her from taking part. She was feeling absolutely fantastic, there were no signs she was relapsing which made it very hard to take.”

At Craigavon Festival Amy brought home a huge haul of trophies along with her younger sister Gemma (12 on Saturday). Then Amy went to Newry and won the teens’ section of the Ultimate Beauty UK and Ireland.

Her mum said: “She was determined to take part and raise funds for Make A Wish Foundation, who had made her wish come true.”

Of her daughter’s treatment Sarah said: “She had a full week of chemotherapy then got an infection. She had a rough couple of days but came through it.

“She’s not allowed out of the ward until her count goes up so she’s a bit frustrated.”