A four-year-old girl who starred in the hit Channel 4 series Derry Girls is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with leukaemia.
Zoe Brown played baby Anna Quinn, the daughter of Mary and Gerry and younger sister of Erin, alongside her twin sister Sophie in the second and third seasons of the show. Zoe was diagnosed with leukaemia last month after her mum Leah noticed she looked pale and took her to the doctor.
Leah told Belfast Live that the youngster has spent the last several weeks undergoing gruelling procedures and treatments, which will continue until Christmas and have left the youngster too weak to walk. The hardest part for Zoe, her mum says, has been losing her hair as a side-effect of the treatment plan.
“I know that’s not the main concern, but it’s the saddest wee bit for her,” Leah said. “Zoe just had the longest thickest hair and it was the first thing anyone talked about when they saw her.”
Derry Girls fans have rallied to support the family through the heartbreaking ordeal, with a fundraising page set up by a friend so far soaring over its target by raising almost £5,000. Leah, who has been forced to give up her work to care for Zoe, said that the help and kindness they have received so far from well-wishers has been “unbelievable”.
Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee also shared her sadness at the news. “She’s the most wonderful little girl and we are lucky to have her as part of our Derry Girls family,” she said. “I’m sending her and her family strength and love.”
Zoe was due to start primary school in September with her sister Sophie, but is now instead hoping to start in the New Year. “She’s laughing and smiling,” Leah said of her brave daughter. “It’s heart-breaking, but she’s been amazing.”
READ MORE:
