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Family cherish the memory of remarkable Sian Yeatman

An extraordinary 11-year-old who bravely battled cancer for two years will be remembered as an adrenaline junkie who embraced life.

Sian Yeatman refused to stop smiling when she was diagnosed with the disease aged just nine, even when doctors were forced to amputate her leg.

And her extraordinary spirit is what her family says they will cherish most following her death.

Sian Yeatman, who lost her battle with cancer aged 11
Sian Yeatman, who lost her battle with cancer aged 11

Mum Tracy Grace, of The Downings in Broomfield, said: “She was very brave and embraced life.

"She was always smiling and happy and got other people doing it, too. She also had this real belly giggle and a dirty laugh.”

Tragically, Sian’s diagnosis came just four years after cancer claimed the life of her father while her mum was pregnant with her youngest sister, Llana.

But the Yeatmans battled on and were voted most courageous family at the Ward and Partners’ Children’s Awards two years ago.

Sian loved to roller skate and was dubbed an "adrenaline junkie"
Sian loved to roller skate and was dubbed an "adrenaline junkie"

Tracy worked early mornings in a supermarket before the school run to save up for a special holiday, with the school marvelling at how the family carried on in the face of such struggles.

With Sian’s cancer, osteosarcoma, affecting her bones, doctors replaced her femur with titanium but were forced to remove her leg due to a secondary tumour.

Still, she amazed medics, getting up soon after surgery and continuing to dance and attend Herne Bay United skating club, with teachers and her family saying she had “real sass”.

Unfortunately, the amputation did not prevent the disease spreading to her lungs, and she died at the end of August.

Sian was recently a bridesmaid at a wedding
Sian was recently a bridesmaid at a wedding

School friends and the community were invited to attend her funeral and a reception three weeks ago. She leaves behind her mum, brother Aaron, and sisters, Amelia, Olivia and Llana.

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