Dad hosting fundraising ball in honour of brave tumour fighter Leah, nine

Leah Bennett, from Bold, was just six years old in November 2018 when she started intermittently complaining of a sore back and by January 2019 her appetite and energy levels were also affected.

Leah during the hardest part of her treatment in 2019

After tests and scans, she was referred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital where she was diagnosed with an unknown tumour.

She was saved by an innovative operation which combined 3D printing with tumour surgery for the first time.

The St Bartholomew’s Rainhill pupil relapsed in December 2020 and since then has been undergoing an alternative treatment which targets the gene mutation identified as the cause of the tumour.

The 3D printed model of Leah's tumour surgeons made to assess how and if they could operate

She’s now having medication from home, which is keeping her stable, meaning she can carry on living her life as a happy nine-year-old.

Leash’s family is determined to give back to Cancer Research UK in their brave daughter’s honour, for all the work done into finding new treatments.

Leah in October 2021 at the MOSI Cancer Research exhibition with the £D model of her tumour which surgeons made to treat her

Dad Stephen said: “Leah’s tumour isn’t gone, she’s stable and she’s able to go to school and have medication from home where she’s not suffering from symptoms she had before. We are so grateful for that.

“We were asked by Manchester Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) if they could exhibit the 3D printed model surgeons made of Leah’s initial tumour ahead of her surgery – the first of its kind – to showcase in an exhibition about Cancer Treatment over the years.

Leah at her recent Holy Communion

“It was in Manchester from October to January, and we went to the opening and it just really highlighted to us how much Cancer Research UK does, not only for us and our family but people everywhere and people yet to be diagnosed.

“We just decided we wanted to give back to them, so we are hosting a fundraising casino night at Saints on Saturday, July 9.

“If people could buy tickets and have a fun night, knowing its all for Cancer Research or even if businesses want to sponsor a table, it would be amazing.

“Leah is here because of new treatments and trials which have been found due to this crucial work by Cancer Research UK, and we are just beyond grateful.”

The Casino Royal Fundraising Ball will be held at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday, July 9 from 6.30pm until 12.30am and is a black-tie event.

The treatment Leah is currently on is keeping her stable, meaning she can enjoy being a nine-year-old girl

Tickets are £60 or £600 for a table of 10. Tickets include a three-course meal, wine, casino fun, live band and DJ.

All the proceeds go to Cancer Research UK.

To book, contact Stephen on stebennett1@hotmail.co.uk