Bravery award for girl, 4, with eye cancer

A four-year-old girl who had her eye removed and replaced with a prosthetic one due to cancer has been recognised for her bravery.

Ella, from Hull, was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma in both eyes in June 2021 when she was just 11 months old. It left her blind in her left eye and with severe sight loss in the right.

She underwent surgery in December 2023 and has been receiving specialist treatment in Hull, Leeds and Birmingham.

Ella has received a Star Award from Cancer Research UK, which described her as "a real star who has been through so much at such a young age".

Her mum Natasha Mead said seeing her daughter go through eye cancer and losing both her eye and vision had been "absolutely heart-breaking".

"Despite everything Ella has been through, she is thriving and hasn't let anything hold her back," she said.

"It was terrifying to think how she would cope losing her vision.

"I was so worried she wouldn't be happy again, but she is learning to read Braille, can write her name and uses a white cane for walking.

"Even having her eye removed, she took in her stride and proved she can overcome anything."

The four-year-old, who started primary school in September, has made regular hospital visits for check-ups and treatments including cryotherapy (cold therapy), laser and chemotherapy injections.

She recently starred as an angel in her school nativity play.

Ms Mead said: "To see her in that nativity was an incredibly special moment and at times, following her diagnosis, one which we could never have dared dream of.

"But she continues to blow us away with her courage and strength. She is such an intelligent girl and soaks everything in."

She said this year was the "first normal Christmas" the family had at home since her daughter's diagnosis, "so we're doing our best to soak up every moment".

Ms Mead said early diagnosis of the eye cancer was "vital" and wanted other families to recognise the symptoms of retinoblastoma - a white glow or white reflection in the centre of the eye, known as leukocoria.

She said: "Ella's cancer was literally staring us in the face.

"We have photos of her from six months old that clearly show the glow in her eyes, but we just knew nothing about it.

"It wasn't until we noticed she was struggling to eat with a spoon, despite being so advanced, that we sought help."

Ella's father Ben Sala praised his daughter, saying: "She's had to learn to adapt, she continues to cope well and is never fazed."

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