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Pupils are honoured on special awards night
He's been through 30 weeks of chemotherapy, had his left thigh bone removed, overcome a potentially fatal hospital infection and is learning to walk again – but Joshua Game can't help smiling.
The cheery 11-year-old has been battling a rare form of bone cancer for the past year.
But throughout his treatment for osteosarcoma he never complained and his sunny disposition proved inspirational to his family, classmates and teachers.
And he had an extra special reason to smile yesterday when he won the top honour at Portsmouth's Pupil Oscars – the outstanding achievement award.
The Newbridge Junior School pupil said: 'I was shocked.
'I wasn't expecting it at all. I thought it was going to be someone else.'
The News has tracked Joshua's progress from his operation in November, learning to walk again in March, and his backing of our Blue Day in May fundraising for the Tom Prince Cancer Trust after Tom, 15, died of the same bone cancer Joshua had.
As well as coping with cancer, Joshua overcome the hospital bug C difficile while undergoing treatment in Middlesex.
His recovery meant a bout of chemotherapy had to be delayed to the week of his Sat exams in May. But Joshua was determined to take them, even when he was hooked up to drips.
Joshua said: 'It wasn't too difficult to concentrate. I wanted to be normal and get good grades.'
His determination was seen again last night as he left his wheelchair to use crutches to collect his award on stage at Portsmouth Guildhall – a particular feat as he's learning to walk with a metal prosthetic in his left leg.
His father John said he had tears in his eyes when his son walked on stage.
The 46-year-old, of Winchester Road, Buckland, said: 'He has been an inspiration to everyone. He was always smiling even on the bad days.'
Mum Michele, 42, said: 'All the way through his treatment he's always been cheerful. He's been amazing.
'And the headteacher and the teachers at his school have been so supportive. They've been lovely.'
His sisters Chloe, 17, and Lauren, 14, were equally proud.
Chloe said: 'I just don't know how he keeps smiling. He went through such a lot and didn't complain at all.'
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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