An Ascot student who survived a rare abdominal cancer as a child says the lifelong effects of the illness will always be with her due to her severe cancer treatment.

Ella Manning, 25, was diagnosed with a cancer of the nerve cells at the age of four when doctors found a tumour in her abdomen.

21 years later and several bouts of internal radiotherapy, she has been left with an inoperable dormant tumour and several life-changing side effects from her radical treatment.

During Childhood Cancer Awareness Mouth, Ella is campaigning to support CRUK for Children & Young People.

This funds vital research to improve survival and reduce long-term side effects for those diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 0 and 24-years-old.  

Her renewed support was spurred on after receiving the heart-breaking news that she may be unlikely to naturally conceive a family due to the radiation levels she received at age four.

Ella said: “Initially I felt like I’d been given a chance at life, and I wanted to be able to give that chance to everyone.

“Now as I’m thinking about the future, there are still reminders of my cancer and it’s so important to get kinder treatments that don’t have those long-lasting effects.” 

“I’ve realised the rest of my life will be affected by cancer and yes, I’ve got the all-clear but it’s very much my motivation to keep pushing for kinder treatments.” 

She was diagnosed on Valentine’s Day after parents, Veronica and Phillip noticed they started to notice their daughters stomach was bigger and inflamed.

She explained: “My parents were taken aback and were completely shocked and upset but my mum is the kind of person to say, ‘Right, we need to get this sorted so what’s the plan?’ 

“Because I was quite young, I can only remember little snippets of my experience but I can remember my mum had her side of the room and I had mine and I couldn’t cross it because I was radioactive.  

After several attempts at removing the tumour, only 90% could be taken away due to the location alongside a main vein and pressing on her kidney.

Ella says that the play therapy that she received alongside her treatment whilst in hospital has created a huge influence her life. Due to the care and connection that she made with her play therapists during that time, she has been inspired to complete her Masters in the area.

Ella said: “The play specialists with their bubbly personalities made what can be such a dark time, into something that I could process as a child.  

“Where most children have a bond with their teacher, I had bonds with my play specialists, and they really settled my anxiety. 

“It’s all about trying to make what seems unmanageable, manageable, and helping them to process what they’re going through, through play. Play is an amazing form of communication.” 

 

The 25-year-old and her family have spent half their life giving back to Cancer Research UK including taking part in store collections, bake sales, danceathons and fundraising for the Relay for Life Ascot.