A mistake that cost a life: rare cancer took the life of a 14-month-old girl

Lauren Benham, a resident of the British town of Southend-on-Sea, urges parents to trust their instincts after the death of her 14-month-old daughter Nelly from stage 4 neuroblastoma. The diagnosis was made in July 2020, when the girl was six months old. Despite treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery, the disease returned with metastases to the brain, and in March 2021 Nelly died. Lauren lists dangerous symptoms and urges not to ignore warning signs.

Lauren Benham, a resident of the British town of Southend-on-Sea, urges parents to trust their own instincts and closely monitor their children's health after her 14-month-old daughter Nelly died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer — stage 4 neuroblastoma. The story began during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the six-month-old girl developed a rash and a swollen abdomen. Due to quarantine restrictions, the mother could not show the child to doctors in person and sent photos to relatives, who advised not to panic. However, Lauren insisted on an examination, and in July 2020 doctors diagnosed neuroblastoma. The family began treatment, including chemotherapy and surgery in January 2021, but soon the disease returned with metastases to the brain. In March 2021, Nelly died. Now Lauren has two sons, and she tells them the story of their sister, listing dangerous symptoms: lumps, fever, headaches, limping, and abdominal swelling.