Courageous five-year-old, Ella Van Den Heuvel, begins her first year of school this year at The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), fighting cancer for the second time.

Ella first endured two-years of chemotherapy at just 22-months-old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. After a year in remission, symptoms began to return and Ella’s family were told they would have to leave their home in Hobart immediately for six-months of intensive treatment at the RCH.

Although Ella cannot often leave the ward at the moment due to her low immune system, she is still able to keep up to date with her school work with help from her teachers at the RCH Education Institute who visit daily. “They are doing an amazing job here to link her in,” said mum Kerryn. Ella also has the support of her teachers back home. “She’s in constant correspondence with her teachers and her class back home, and she’ll Skype into the classroom. With a bit of luck, when we get back she can slide right in” said Kerryn.

Click here to read Ella’s full story on the Good Friday Appeal website.

Donate to The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal at goodfridayappeal.com.au or phone 9292 1166.