A LITTLE girl battling cancer is still managing to enjoy family fun-time in between rounds of life-changing treatment in the USA.

Four-year-old Katie Dodd has had her second round of pioneering therapy for a cancerous tumour on her spine, which has left her unable to walk.

She is being treated at Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, with proton beam therapy — an advanced form of radiotherapy not available in the UK.

But in between treatment, the youngster is still managing to enjoy some rest and recovery with her family in an apartment in Jacksonville and has also visited a Disney store.

She is there with parents Lee and Rebecca and her brother, Joseph.

Mrs Dodd, who is keeping friends and family up to date via e-mail, said: “She thinks it’s quite amusing when they greet her asking ‘how are you doing today Miss Katie?’ in their American accents.

“In between her radiotherapy, which is at different times each day, we try to fit in some special family time.

“We all visited the beach last week, which is only 20 minutes away from our apartment, and Katie, carried by her Dad, dipped her toes in the sea and had a lovely time building sandcastles and relaxing with her family.”

Katie is also undergoing intensive physiotherapy every day, which is intended to help strengthen her legs to support her new ability to move. Little Katie’s problems started in August last year with severe back pains.

On September 16 she woke up and could not move her legs.

An MRI scan revealed she had a six-centimetre tumour on her spine.

Since then she has been undergoing gruelling treatment, and the £114,000 cost of the proton beam therapy is being met by the NHS.

But family and friends are fundraising so her parents can take unpaid leave to be at Katie’s side. They are now planning their next fundraiser, which will have an American theme.

Katie’s American Dream will take place on April 20, at the Holiday Inn, in Bolton, but the family are still appealing for business sponsors for the event.

To donate to the appeal, visit katiedoddappeal.co.uk or call Katie’s aunt, Donna Brown, on 07977 545105.