A FORMER Riddlesden teenager who was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour when she was just eight years old has graduated from high school in America.

And now, battling Chloe Hewitt, despite still receiving treatment following a relapse last year, is preparing to start a degree course.

Her parents, Steve and Shirley Hewitt, spoke of their immense pride.

“As well as continuing to attain very good grades in school Chloe has never stopped being involved in community-based activities,” said Mr Hewitt, a product development manager with Wolverine World Wide footwear group.

“My wife and I are extremely proud and find it both unbelievable and humbling to see how Chloe conducts herself when we know how debilitating the numerous surgeries, hours of radiation treatments, hundreds of MRI scans, thousands of blood draws and all the, sometimes brutal, chemo drugs have been.”

Chloe, now 19, was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2003, and after it was removed she underwent intense radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions.

Her treatment ended about a year later, although she continued to have MRI scans.

The family has been living in Lexington, Massachusetts, for the past three years.

Chloe’s relapse last year was her fourth.

“The tumour was successfully removed and she again embarked on a regime of targeted radiation,” said Mr Hewitt.

In September, Chloe will begin studying for a Bachelors degree at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.