Aurora employee, Jody, nominated Neuroblastoma UK to be one of the company’s charity partners for this year, after sadly losing her six-month-old daughter, Ellie, to neuroblastoma in 2011. Jody shares her story here… “My first-born daughter, Ellie, was a very happy baby. She slept well, fed well and was always smiling. She was a very alert baby and enjoyed lots of interaction from her elder siblings.” The journey to diagnosis At 12 weeks, my chunky baby was diagnosed with a hernia, due to her distended belly button. She thrived day to day, along with healthy vitals, I was advised the diagnos ..read more

When Ari was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of 13, it came as a huge shock. She had never experienced any symptoms. Now, a year on since her diagnosis - and as part of Teenage And Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month - her mum, Mattea, shares her story… “Ari had always been happy & healthy…” Apart from the occasional stomach ache, Ari had always been happy and healthy. She had never experienced any symptoms to suggest anything serious was going on. However, she had always been quite small for her age, so last January, we decided to take her to the doctor to discuss it. He examined ..read more

Grace was diagnosed with neuroblastoma two weeks after her 16th birthday in May 2021. Now 18, she has recently finished treatment and is training to be a paediatric nurse. Grace shares her story to mark Teenage And Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month… SYMPTOMS & DIAGNOSIS A few months before my diagnosis, I had noticed that I could feel a hard lump when I pressed on my stomach. It was not visible or painful, just a little weird. I assumed it was nothing serious, maybe a small hernia, and largely ignored it. About five months later, I started to feel really unwell and was experiencing pain a ..read more

Harper was a year old when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma in April 2023. A year on since her diagnosis, her family are hopeful that, with treatment in America, Harper will remain healthy and happy. Harper’s mum, Jenny, shares her story here… Harper was happy & healthy…until a strange bruise appeared under her eye. In February 2023, we noticed a small bruise under Harper’s right eye. Initially, we just assumed she must have pulled down a toy which hit her in the face. She was otherwise really well and happy. Then the bruise grew and spread under her eye and her eye l ..read more

The 4th February 2024 is World Cancer Day, which aims to create a future without cancer. It calls on governments around the world to promote health equity, enhance cancer service accessibility, reduce disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, and finally close the care gap. On this important day, we would like to share with you a story about a beautiful little boy, Spencer, who sadly passed away in 2007 from neuroblastoma. Spencer’s mum, Amanda, has kindly shared this story to help raise awareness about the drastic need for new, more effective and less punishing treatments for neuroblasto ..read more

Hayley has kindly shared a heart-warming story about her son, Alex, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of two. Alex’s story demonstrates just how important treatments and research can be for the lives of children with neuroblastoma and their families. Alex was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just two years old. In September 2020, Alexander was two years old when he became very poorly.  He lost half a stone over two weeks, was spiking temperatures all the time, being very sick,  lethargic and sweaty, with no energy or motivation at all.  We took him to A&E, only ..read more

“We live in hope that parents will be able to spot the signs of this cancer earlier and we know that the research that is being carried out is already providing a lifeline to families like ours whose children face this terrible disease. ” Cara with her mummy Isobel After experiencing a lack of appetite, temperatures, lethargy, sickness and numerous trips to the GP, Cara was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Despite 19 months of treatment, Cara relapsed three months after completing front-line treatment. She was just three years old when she passed away in February 2020. Isobel, Cara’s mummy, shar ..read more

Zahra was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just two weeks old. Now 21, she recently graduated with a law degree! This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Zahra shares her story to help other families currently experiencing neuroblastoma. “If my story can offer solace, inspiration, or guidance to just one person or family, I find immense fulfilment in knowing that my experiences have made a positive impact.” Aged two weeks and struggling to breathe “...they found a mass in my abdomen. I was later diagnosed with infantile left adrenal neuroblastoma. For my family and I, this meant embarki ..read more

Reggie was diagnosed with stage three neuroblastoma in November 2020 after he became unwell with a high temperature and constipation. Doctors initially suspected a tummy bug or appendicitis. But a scan revealed a tumour attached to his adrenal gland. Just one month after he rang the end of treatment bell in June 2021, Reggie relapsed. He sadly passed away on 17th July 2021. Reggie’s mum Jo shares their story. Raising awareness of neuroblastoma “We will help in any way we can to raise awareness of neuroblastoma. We want to keep Reggie’s memory alive - and stop other families going through what ..read more

Apple (back) with her sister Talullah, mum Anthea and dad Uriah “My six year old daughter, Apollonia (Apple) was diagnosed with stage four, high risk neuroblastoma on 9th August 2021. She was three years old. I remember the feeling of terror and being so overwhelmed with information at the start. Thankfully, Apple has been in remission since November 2022 and is absolutely thriving now. She’s at school and a happy, healthy six year old. She probably won’t even remember having cancer. Thanks to the research funded by Neuroblastoma UK and other cancer charities, while the long term survival rat ..read more