for two youths battling devastating diseases.

Save the Children Telethon will take to the small screen this Thursday in aid of 15-year-old Rodericka Pitcher and five-year-old Sarah Webb.

Rodericka is battling a rare form of cancer and Sarah is suffering from debilitating tumours.

Organiser Gina Spence said the Thanksgiving event will get underway at 8 p.m.

and will spotlight local children.

"To make the telethon different, the whole thing will feature children,'' Ms Spence explained. "They will emcee the evening, perform dramas, sing and dance.'' And the telethon will take viewers behind the scene, showing how local doctors detected both girls' diseases.

"Their doctors will be on the show discussing how they diagnosed the girls,'' Ms Spence said. "Sarah will be on the telethon and there will be a special pre-recorded report from the Boston hospital where (she) is staying.

"We will also appeal to other families going through something like this to get together and set up a support group. this way they will be able to share information on things like how to find accommodations abroad and how to deal with insurance companies.'' Ms Spence said she hoped that the spirit of Thanksgiving would help to make the telethon a great success.

Anyone interested in helping with the telethon can call Ms Spence days at 295-5982 or 292-3945 evenings.