Ella Rattenbury fighting cancer diagnosis in Sydney hospital

A young Canberra dancer who was on the cusp of returning to home after spending months undergoing chemotherapy has suffered a devastating blow in hospital.

Canberra girl Ella Rattenbury is fighting in hospital suffering a cancer relapse. Picture: Contributed

A Canberra girl has suffered a devastating relapse in her cancer diagnosis, on the cusp of returning home from treatment in Sydney.

Ella Rattenbury has been hit with a 30 per cent survival rate after T-cell lymphomas were located throughout her body in mid-April.

The 11-year-old’s fight against cancer began in July 2022 after she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, with a tumour found in her chest.

Ella’s godmother Natalie Writer said before her diagnosis, Ella was like any other young girl.

She excelled in dancing, hung out with her schoolmates and family and had aspirations of becoming a teacher.

Ms Writer said Ella then began to swell around her face, which shockingly led to a cancer diagnosis on July 6, 2022 where she was flown to Sydney for treatment.

Ella Rattenbury in hospital. Picture: Contributed

She has been there ever since with her parents and siblings.

Ella’s mum Aimee had not long started her job in midwifery at the Canberra Hospital but was now on unpaid leave.

Ella Rattenbury with mother Aimee. Picture: Contributed

Her father Rick, who owns and operates RNR Towing, juggles work between living in Sydney and Canberra.

Ella has showed promising signs in her battle with intense chemotherapy pushing the cancer into remission.

Ms Writer said the plan was for Ella and her family to return to Canberra in June after her final block of chemo.

The cancer’s re-emergence however means Ella will be subjected to intense chemotherapy and will need to stay in Sydney.

Ella Rattenbury with her father Rick. Picture: Contributed

In the face of this danger Ella’s godmother, who has known her mum for decades, said the 11-year-old was taking it “in her stride”.

“It’s every parent’s nightmare for their child to get cancer … but Ella is constantly smiling and always tries to make some good of a bad situation,” Ms Writer said. “We’re all so proud of how she’s taking it.

“She has such a beautiful and positive attitude, nothing is keeping her down.”

A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with bills and costs while they help Ella fight this battle in Sydney.

You can donate here.