'How I beat cancer' - Madison Merrick celebrates sixth birth after surviving double blow

Madison Merrick recovered from her operation and cancer struggle in time for her sixth birthday. Photo / Facebook

Kiwi girl recovering from disease beats cancer, meets sporting heroes.

A New Zealand girl who travelled to the United Kingdom to undergo lifesaving surgery, only to be told she had cancer, has been given the all-clear.

Madison Merrick celebrated her sixth birthday this week by tucking into an icing-covered cupcake - something she would not have been able to do before her operation without getting severely sick.

She also met the All Blacks and watched them play in their first Rugby World Cup match against Argentina - not missing out on the chance to take a picture with them.

Madison was born with her bowel outside her body. She and her mother flew to the United Kingdom in 2013 in the hope of having a bowel transplant operation, which is not available in New Zealand.

Madison, 2 years old in this image, plays with her mother Alana Merrick at Auckland's Starship children's hospital. Photo / Dean Purcell

Madison underwent surgery last November thanks to a $1 million grant from the NZ Ministry of Health.

A few weeks after her operation, the family was told she had post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease cancer.

"To be told she had cancer after she received her bowel transplant operation was just devastating," said Madison's mother, Alana Merrick in an interview with the Birmingham Mail.

Madison had battled the cancer for six months and had six rounds of chemotherapy, Ms Merrick said.

But now the doctors have given her the all-clear.

On Tuesday, Ms Merrick posted a photo of her daughter tucking into a treat she couldn't enjoy before - cake.

"Yesterday Mads finally had her birthday party to celebrate being 6. We had an incredible day at her Mad Hatter's tea party ... the highlight was watching her non-stop eat."

Ms Merrick said she hopes to return to New Zealand soon with her daughter.