A TEENAGER who fought “against all odds” to beat a rare disease is trying to raise awareness of its symptoms so that other children are diagnosed quickly.

Tiger-Lily Lawford, 13, from Dorchester, contracted Kawasaki disease when she was aged two. She developed a fever, sore eyes and her hands and feet became swollen.

As the disease is so rare, doctors in France – where the family were then living – initially suspected glandular fever, says mum Vickie.

“She had a really high temperature,” said Vickie. “And she had a pin prick rash, so we took her to see the doctor. We went three times and could not get her temperature down. He said it was glandular fever and not to worry.

“As a mum, I knew there was more to it. We were at the hospital when a doctor walked past, who happened to be the chief paediatrician, and told Tiger-Lily to stick her tongue out. She did, and he asked if we trusted him – after that we didn’t see her for an hour.”

Doctors immediately carried out a white blood cell transfusion and Tiger-Lily’s condition improved within 48 hours. She continued to have checkups with doctors in France and the USA, before the family moved back to the UK six years ago.

Tiger-Lily is now raising money to help fund research into the disease and recently held a bake sale at her school, Thomas Hardye, in aid of the cause.

Vickie said: “Kawasaki can be a dreadful disease and due to the fact that the vast majority of people have never heard of it I, with many others, are trying to make the public aware of its existence.

“There is no need for parents to panic and I do not want doctors to be inundated with calls, I just want people to know that this disease does exist and people should be aware of the symptoms.”

Kawasaki mainly affects children aged under five and it is not known what causes the disease.

The family want to thank Tracey Walder of Studio Print in Poundbury, Pete Brown at Waitrose Dorchester, Sue Langford at Mole County Stores Dorchester, Ben Ellis at Tesco Dorchester, Sean at The Crusty Cob, Nick Darnbrough at The Butter Market Bakery Poundbury, Mel Pankhurst at Loose Moose Dorchester, Lou’s Barbers Dorchester, Boots Dorchester, Damers First School and Thomas Hardye School.