A YOUNGSTER who has been ‘singing since she could speak’ has overcome a gruelling battle with cancer to compete in a major competition.

For Alyssa Reece, 13, singing isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle - with her passion earning her a Young Champions nomination.

In her youth, the Cudworth girl took part in school singing showcases, eventually joining Barnsley Youth Choir, around 2020.

However, Alyssa’s childhood wasn’t always smooth sailing.

Aged six, Alyssa was diagnosed with an aggressive childhood cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma.

The cancer was located behind her left eye, spreading and invading her skull, dislodging her eye and pushed it out of the socket.

The tumour was inoperable, so Alyssa’s treatment protocol consisted of nine rounds of high-dose, intense chemotherapy.

The youngster also underwent cranial proton radiation, for which she spent nine weeks in Jacksonville, Florida.

In her fragile condition, Alyssa became so weak that she relied on the use of a wheelchair.

Thankfully, Alyssa entered remission due to her treatment, but her struggles didn’t end there.

The treatment gave her permanent neurocognitive late effects, which impacts her school life with a loss of memory.

The radiation also gave Alyssa facial asymmetry as the bones developed.

As a teenage girl, this can at times, leave Alyssa feeling self-conscious and insecure.

Despite this, Alyssa does not attempt to hide that her face is different.

Alyssa’s mum, Katie, said: “Singing empowers her.

“I credit BYC - the entire team, for helping me to give my little girl her childhood back.

“Singing has always been a coping mechanism for Alyssa, being a part of BYC, has given her focus, skill, confidence and peace.

“She’s had exciting opportunities to work with world leaders in choral music and she has met children from all around the world.

“Alyssa has now started to voluntarily help out with the children’s choir, to give back some of what she has received.

“Being part of something as incredible as BYC meant that Alyssa was able to focus on what she is most passionate about.

“It helped her overcome her anxieties.

“During rehearsals, her entire focus was on music and team work, not about her health.”

Alyssa’s hard work and passion all paid off when she learned that her audition to be part of the BYC competition squad - who will be heading to Sweden, in August, to compete at the World Choir Games, was successful.

BYC has subsidised the cost of the tour to Sweden and the Edinburgh fringe festival.

This means that Alyssa’s parents are able to fund her trip of a lifetime themselves.

However, Alyssa and her friends have been exploring fundraising ideas to help raise funds to support her exciting expedition.

Alyssa’s mum added: “I could never find the words to express the extent of pride that I feel towards Alyssa.

“She has defied cancer and all that it left in its path of destruction, not by surviving, but by working hard and enabling herself to thrive. “Cancer took a lot away from Alyssa, but one thing it didn’t take was her formidable strength of character.

“Alyssa is a beacon of hope to other children who are facing long-term or life-threatening illness.

“She has the ability to inspire many.

“I don’t doubt for one second that she will use her beautiful voice to advocate for other children like herself.”