Madison Boudreaux is six years old, but has already beaten one of the toughest diseases - cancer.

The tiny dancer is now encouraging others to join in on the fun with a fundraiser being held in her honor, DailyComet.com reports.

Boudreaux was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer, in March 2009, and has undergone surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy. The young girl's mother said that she has gained the cancer-free status, but still has to go for follow-up appointments to monitor her condition and ensure the cancer does not return.

Her family is holding the Dance for a Cure event in August to honor the courageous child, and to raise money for organization that are invested in researching childhood cancers.

"Now that we've been through this world, we're all about raising awareness," her mother Jaime Boudreaux told the news source.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) osteosarcoma is a more common form of bone cancer found in children and young adults. Seventy percent of patients diagnosed with the disease are under the age of 40.

There are number of factors that may contribute to the development of bone cancer, be they environmental or hereditary. The ACS keeps a list of several different risk factors, including genetic disorders. The organization does note that is very rare for bone cancers to be hereditary, but it can happen.

The organization is an excellent source for current patients, survivors and their families regarding all information about a wide variety of cancers. They include information about treatment options and what individuals may anticipate in beating the disease and living as a survivor.

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