Having cancer when you’re a child is scary, lonely, relentless and painful. We at Morrisons want to support Young Lives vs Cancer’s mission in making sure everyone sees children with cancer for who they are and who they want to be. They may be little, but they have big voices and we want everyone to hear them.
Ellie Mae's Story
Ellie Mae was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after her auntie – a doctor’s receptionist – noticed symptoms while she was on holiday. She was taken to Bristol hospital before being transferred to the Royal Marsden where she continued treatment as an outpatient. Ellie Mae suffered from the emotional impacts of the diagnosis and became insular, and contracted steroid induced osteopenia which meant she was unable to walk for 14 months. She also became extremely ill on the later stages of intensive chemo, contracting ecoli and pneumonia. Despite it all, she was declared cancer free in 2014.
Although cancer and its side effects have been a massive part of her life she wants everyone to know she is so much more than her diagnosis.
“I’m 13 years old, I love spending time outside walking my dog and have recently started to learn how to skateboard, which I’m loving. When I’m not outside, I spend hours drawing and painting my favourite Japanese anime characters. I love singing and acting too. I’m a member of my County’s Youth Choir and a theatre group. I don’t do early mornings and I’ll do absolutely anything to avoid tidying my room.”
Listen out for Ellie-Mae on our in store radio throughout September encouraging customers to support Young Lives vs Cancer.
Making an impact
Our colleagues have been going gold for Young Lives vs Cancer every September since 2017. By decking ourselves and our stores in gold, our Community Champions will be carrying out fundraising, across September, to spread the message that children like Ellie-Mae are more than their cancer, while raising vital funds to go towards opening a brand new Home from Home in Manchester, that will give families going through cancer treatment a free place to stay near to hospital.
Young cancer patients face a 60-mile round trip, on average, to get treatment. This isn't by choice. Many young cancer patients have to travel to specialist cancer centres to get the care they need; they can't just go to their local hospital. These journeys that cancer patients make is key area that Young Lives vs Cancer want to shine a light on. In addition to gold themed fundraising, Morrisons employees have covered 60 miles every September since 2019. They have run, jogged, walked, cycled, paddled, hopped - anything you can think of, they have done it to raise awareness of the journeys that cancer patients have to make all the time. We will also be selling gold ribbon pin badges in all stores for a suggested donation of £1 and giving you the chance to support children with cancer just by doing your shopping. Buy one of our Every Pack Gives Back products and a percentage per sale will go directly to Young Lives vs Cancer.
