'Coronation Street' actress Jennie McAlpine is "pleased" her on-screen daughter's cancer storyline has helped to raise awareness.
Jennie McAlpine and Alan Halsall in 'Coronation Street'
Jennie's character Fiz's five-year-old daughter Hope was recently diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer which affects 100 children a year, on the ITV soap and the 31-year-old actress has confessed that while it is a difficult story to deal with, she is happy to be bringing the illness to parents' attention.
She explained: "I'm really, I'm pleased. When they said they were going to do this storyline ... Obviously you think, oh gosh, but we've had such brilliant feedback and lovely messages from parents and families who've got children going through it or have had children going through cancer.
"And I've met some incredible people and I've had messages with families saying thank you for raising awareness because 'Corrie' raises awareness like nothing else. People watch the news and it doesn't resonate but if you see someone on 'Corrie' with something that's touched your life or might be touching a friend's life you think, oh yeah."
Jennie - who has 10-month-old son Arthur with partner Chris Farr - recently visited a children's cancer ward to speak to those affected by illnesses similar to that of her on-screen daughter and she's confessed she was inspired by their positivity.
She told ITV's 'This Morning': "You think going to a children's cancer ward is going to be horrible but actually, obviously it's horrible and they're going through the toughest time, but the families ... They're just getting on with it."
And the flame-haired star also admitted the storyline has made her cherish her own son more than ever.
Jennie added: "Me and [my on-screen partner] Alan [Halsall] have both got children and hopefully it will make me a bit more insightful. You only know when you've got them how special they are. If I can be half as good a mum as those parents were to those kids in that hospital, honestly I'll be doing a good job because they're just incredible."
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