RUBY Owen's family have celebrated her third birthday and spoken of their gratitude to everyone who is raising funds for her lifesaving treatment.

Surrounded by balloons and cards, the cancer patient played with her new toys yesterday, unaware of the thousands of well-wishers who are trying to help her.

In three weeks, Ruby will have her last and most intensive dose of chemotherapy before hopefully travelling to America for six weeks of proton therapy, costing £250,000.

Currently, donations to help her have reached £93,000, but the remaining money must be found before she can be registered for the treatment.

Ruby's father, Martin Owen, aged 38, said: "I went to America last week to meet the consultant and he thinks the treatment will be a success.

"We just need to get the money and have faith that we will make the target.

"Before the trip to America, Ruby has her final nine-day isolation course of chemotherapy in April."

At first, the family never thought Ruby would reach her third birthday.

Martin said: "We are so happy to be celebrating.

"They sent us home from the hospital saying there was no need for treatment, because the tumour was too big, but Ruby is a fighter and she keeps proving them wrong."

Ruby's mum Rachel added: "She wants to play with toys like any other child and that keeps me going.

"Her innocence helps you get through the tough times."

The family say they cannot keep track of the hundreds of fund-raising efforts in Ruby's name.

Payments into the fund are managed by Stoke charity Caudwell Children.

In recent weeks there have been some welcome additions to the total.

Comedian Lee Mack gave £18,000 from a show at Hanley's Victoria Hall and U.S. cage-fighting boss Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, pledged £5,000.

The family have also heard about a 100km run at an Esporta gym, a sponsored sky-dive and a couple who are asking wedding guests to donate to the fund instead of buying them presents.

Martin, of Birch Valley Road, Kidsgrove, said: "I do not think anybody can realise how grateful we are.

"We appreciate the help so much and as soon as Ruby is well I will be doing my bit to help raise money for other families who have poorly children.

"It's horrific leading life like this. We are in a cancer network via the internet, keeping in touch with other families in similar situations.

"We get to know them and hear when a child dies.

"When Ruby is better in years to come, when we can look back on this, I will be giving something back.

"We've been through so many tough times, seeing Ruby lose 25 per cent of her body weight and looking like skin and bone, but she is a fighter – that's how we keep going."

Ruby's grandmother Barbara Wilkinson, aged 62, from Chell, said: "This is the first time in my life when I feel completely helpless, that's why I'm so grateful to everyone raising money."

To donate to the Ruby Owen Fund visit www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/charities or send a cheque, payable to Caudwell Children, to Ruby's Fund c/o Caudwell Children, Minton Hollins Building, Shelton Old Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7RY.