THE heartbreaking account of an 11-year-old girl who documented her fourth and final diagnosis of cancer will be broadcast months after she died.
Elizabeth Rooney, from Poole, was first diagnosed with a rare form of cancer aged three when a neuroendocrine tumour was discovered in the tissue surrounding her eye.
Despite having her eye removed in 2020 to prevent it coming back, Elizabeth’s cancer returned just weeks after losing her mum, Charlotte Lewis, to breast cancer last October.
Elizabeth died on April 19 this year before her film was completed.
Narrating the story of her life on camera for Stand Up to Cancer and to be broadcast tonight (November 1), her step-dad Matthew Lewis said: “Elizabeth first had cancer when she was three. It re-occurred when she was about six and again, somewhere around seven or eight.
“So many adults would have struggled with what she’d been through but there was some sort of spirit inside her that was undefeatable. She was an amazing person. From such a young age she inspired so many people.”
Part-filmed at University Hospital Southampton’s Piam Brown ward whilst receiving treatment earlier this year, Elizabeth recalled the signs that indicated something wasn’t quite right.
She said: “I like going to school because I get to see my friends every day but I was noticing it was getting harder to get round the school at breaktimes.
“So we stayed overnight at the hospital and then finally they told us there was something wrong.”
Matthew added: “The cancer was in nearly all of her hips, her lungs, her lymph nodes and there were some concerning aspects up on her skull and towards her brain.”
He was told about Elizabeth’s fourth diagnosis the day before the funeral of her mum and his wife Charlotte.
Mum-of-three Charlotte, who was commended alongside Elizabeth for her commitment to fundraising and raising awareness for Cancer Research UK, had originally been diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after her youngest son, Jack, now five, was born.
Elizabeth said: “Mummy said if they could hold it back for long enough, then they might find a cure for it and I was quite happy after that.
“Then they found out it was in too many places, so they did chemotherapy which helped a bit. But it wasn’t enough and a couple of days afterwards, she died.”
Due to the nature and rarity of her cancer, Elizabeth’s treatment options were limited. After exploring every possible avenue, eventually, Elizabeth was taken to Naomi House Hospice to receive palliative care.
Reflecting on a life that was full of love and ambition but tragically cut short by cancer, the film ends with Elizabeth’s words: “When you have something like this, you’ve just got to make the most of the time you have, because it may be too late.”
Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the south, Elisa Mitchell, said: “We are very grateful to Elizabeth, her step-dad Matthew, brothers Jack and Michael and her dad, Dan for showing such courage throughout an incredibly challenging time.
“But we must go further and faster. One-in-two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. All of us can help beat it. That’s why we’re asking everyone to Stand Up To Cancer with us. Whether it’s choosing to donate, fundraise, or tackle the ups and downs of our squats challenge, if thousands of us take a stand we’ll speed up the progress of vital research – meaning more people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.”
The Stand Up To Cancer film was scheduled to show on Channel 4 last night.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel