Sammy Ellis Family Support

Sammy Ellis, the son of Jack and Lauren Ellis, was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a type of aggressive cancer, at just one year old. Initially, when Jack and Lauren noticed swelling in Sammy's stomach, doctors thought it was a virus. However, further examinations revealed a large lump on his liver, which was later diagnosed as cancerous. The cancer had spread to various parts of his body, including his knees, pelvis, spine, skull, arms, liver, and bone marrow.

In 2022 the Ellis family had to sell their home, and relocate from Benalla to Melbourne to be closer to the Royal Children's Hospital, where Sammy underwent extensive treatment. His treatment plan included multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and potential surgery to remove the tumors. Despite the challenging journey, the family remained hopeful and grateful for the timely diagnosis, which doctors believed came just in time to save Sammy's life.

In a recent YouTube interview, Jack Ellis shared their emotional journey. Jack recalled, “The moment we found out about the diagnosis, our world turned upside down. We had to make immediate changes, moving closer to the hospital and adjusting our lives to focus entirely on Sammy’s treatment.” He expressed immense gratitude for the support they received, noting, “Our community has been incredible. The outpouring of love and support has helped us get through some of the toughest days.”

While the initial treatments and alternative methods appeared to be making some ground into removing the disease, and there was a period of respite over the last year, about 8 weeks ago May of 2024, 3-year-old Sam relapsed, meaning that his cancer began growing back. He had a tumor behind his right eye and one on the back of his head which grew back very quickly, requiring 14 days of emergency radiation to relieve the pressure and swelling in his head. He has since had 2 new spots appear, one on his right knee, and one on his liver, alongside the two spots on his liver that were previously stable. The ones on his liver are very difficult to remove, as they are too large to radiate and cannot be operated on, as well as being resistant to most forms of chemo. They are growing unhindered and untreated at the moment. As he has relapsed, this reduces his chances of survival and also makes his treatment options more limited than they were already. However, the family are determined to beat the cancer and restore Sammy to full health.

To that end, Friday 5th of July 2024, Sammy will be going back onto another round of Chemo treatment along with a series of Immunotherapy treatments, that could last anywhere from 12-24 months, depending on how well his body responds.While there are options for Sammy that are not available in Australia, these will require considerable sums for the treatment, travel, and accommodation for both Sammy and his family if they should so choose to take that option at this time.

One potential option being looked at currently is Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, which provides both DFMO and Immunotherapy treatments, not available in Australia. The sum to be achieved to make this happen would be in the vicinity of 500k AUD which should cover the treatment and other costs associated with getting to and being in New York. But they will cross that bridge, if it comes to it. We are prayerfully requesting your assistance to donate for Sammy's cause at this time, which will enable Sammy parents to take the required time in and out of the hospital and therefore out of work, over the course of the next 12-24 months in Australia, for this initial Chemo and Immunotherapy treatment session.

The Ellis family so far have depleted most of their resources after selling their home in Benalla, supporting their son, and it has had a real impact on their livelihood over the past few years, let alone the sheer emotional impact. Any support however great, however small, will be most welcome at this present time. All resources will go towards the required time off work the family will need to have to support, back and forth at the hospital, and the loss of income over the next 12-24 months, as Sammy goes back into treatment and the family readjusts yet again to another round of treatment and upending of normal family life.

Please pray for the Ellis family, and pray that God would heal Sammy as the Great Physician He is!

Thankyou for your consideration and God Bless