How Mackay lawn bowler Ashlee Knight ‘keeps smiling’ through cancer battle

A teenage champion lawn bowler was having trouble seeing across the green, but an optical appointment turned into a waking nightmare after a brain tumour was discovered behind her eye.

A Mackay teen and champion lawn bowler was having trouble seeing across the green, but an optical appointment turned into a waking nightmare after a brain tumour was discovered behind her eye.

A Mackay teen and champion lawn bowler was having trouble seeing across the green, but an optical appointment turned into a waking nightmare after a brain tumour was discovered behind her eye.

Ashlee Knight was a 16 year old in Year 11 at Mackay Northern Beaches State High School when a fateful eye check in July 2020 led to her diagnosis of an optic nerve glioma and intracranial hypertension.

Now three years on as treatment options dwindle, family and friends are fundraising to make the 19 year old’s bucket list dreams come true.

Mum Anna said despite her trials, Ashlee remained “a little ray of sunshine” who “just puts on a brave face, puts on a smile, and takes it on”.

Ashlee and Anna Knight during first treatment for optic nerve glioma in 2021. Photo: Contributed

“She’s a fighter,” Anna said.

“She still keeps smiling no matter what.

“The person that she is and the woman she’s grown into, she’s just an inspiration to everyone.

Ashlee Knight dressed for the Mackay Northern Beaches High School formal. Photo: Contributed

“(This is just) another mountain to climb over … unfortunately, this mountain has not a very good ending this time.”

“It’s Mount Everest,” Ashlee quipped.

Following the initial eye check, Ashlee’s optic nerve tripled in size and seven months later, she lost sight in her right eye.

“The optometrist took (a) picture behind her eye (and said) you need to get an emergency MRI immediately (and) I can’t tell you why,” Anne said.

Ashlee Knight and mum Anna's mother-daughter tattoo, reading "She gave me purpose" and "She gave me life". Photo: Contributed

“(They) obviously didn’t want me to freak out … but once you get told that, you freak out.”

Doctors found the glioma after a biopsy on her left frontal lobe in January 2022 and Ashlee began the first of several rounds of chemotherapy.

An intense round of radiation therapy in early 2022 showed promise as Ashlee’s tumours remained stable, yet an MRI in August revealed they had grown into her cerebellum and were causing balance issues and memory loss.

Ashlee Knight's brain scan in 2023 when her mum said they were "told the worst news ever". Photo: Contributed

Now her doctors have told her that her new chemo regime is the last treatment option left.

Anne provided a picture of Ashlee’s brain scan showing the tumour growth, describing it as “when we were told the worst news ever”.

Ashlee has represented Queensland in lawn bowls for years after picking up the sport from her mum and stepdad, going on to play at the Australian Open in 2022 to become the under 25 state champion.

Ashlee Knight and the Queensland Under 25 Champion lawn bowls team in 2022. Photo: Contributed

She continues to work at North Mackay Bunnings, where she said her managers had been super supportive.

A friend of Anne, Ute Walker, has set up a GoFundMe for Ashlee to experience travel. It has already raised $8000 out of a $50,000 goal.

The Knight family at Ashlee's 18th birthday party in December 2021. Photo: Contributed

Ashlee’s dream of going to the Maldives and diving into its clear waters was crushed by medical advice the long flight could hurt her, but she said she now hopes to take a Disney cruise to see the Pacific.

“I’m not leaving without a massive fight and I still feel good, so that’s what I go with day by day,” Ashlee said.

“I’m just super excited for the next upcoming months and spending time with my family.”

To support Ashlee, donate to the GoFundMe link here.

Originally published as How Mackay lawn bowler Ashlee Knight ‘keeps smiling’ through cancer battle