Supporting Ella-Rose's Family after Their Loss From Leukemia

Hi, my name is Sarah, and whilst originally I was raising money for my tenacious niece, Ella-Rose and her family to create hope and support during her battle against a rare form of Leukemia.

The story of Ella's leukemia battle has now come to an end, as all stories do, and with regret and much devastation, and as hard as it is for me to write and speak or believe, we have let Ella-Rose go and leave in peace and has died on 31/08/25. As heartbreaking as it is, we did provide the best possible experience for Ella, and hopefully cultivate last memories for her, her family and some of her closest connections and people who cared greatly for her, to cherish.

Achieved with such a short time to prepare, and with great generosity and the sacrifice of time and sleep by us and the medical staff, because Ella was worth all we could do!

Words still fail in any attempt to communicate how these devastating life changes mark us forever, as expressed initially.

The intensity when Ella-Rose was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) back in November 2024. Enduring this journey and all the ups and downs in treatments and complications. After having the strongest will I've seen compared to all the fables I have heard, Ella-Rose had the strongest and sweetest soul of all. A perfect mix, agreed by me and one of her doctors, probably by all who knew her.

Ella loved her dogs Chase and Ruffus, Chase being 16 years old, and vets had expressed that it was his time to go soon, too.

For Ella's end-of-life experience and supporting the family's experience in our planning meeting, the medical team suggested very compassionate ideas and accommodations. They intended to make Ella, Jess and the family the centre of our attention with the best memories. Keeping Ella comfortable and connected to loved ones was their priority.

As the family and Ella were so close to their dogs, it was specially arranged for them to come and share these last moments with Ella. Providing one of the most beautiful spaces the hospital had, a very scenic and serene outside balcony overlooking the river.

With caring and dedicated staff enlisted to pull it all together, and the head of PICU, Dr N, coming off night shift to be present to ensure everything came to pass in line with his passion for supporting this end-of-life experience and to make Ella and the family as comfortable as possible. Dedicating so much of his time. Other caring staff also came on days off to say goodbye.

Jess, who is Ella’s ever-so-caring and committed mother, thought that in honouring Ella and their dogs Chase’s relationship that they should both peacefully rest on the same day.

With support from Rest in Paws and a team that went out of their way to support us to make this happen, it was achieved. Such a big day.

Now, Jess, as the senior social worker, said, is part of a club no one ever wishes to join. Losing a child so young. Now charting unknown territory as we prepare and plan the funeral and memorial services, and start that squiggle route of processing this complex grief and loss. While we attempt to accept the situation, sit with the suffering of losing our beautiful girl and try to adjust to life without her.

Jess is such a loving, caring and strong mother. I hope that in keeping this going, it will help manage the financial pressure of funeral or memorial services and other stressors that nobody is probably prepared for after losing a 13-year-old daughter.

Any community help would be appreciated. My sincerest gratitude to the medical staff for all their support, especially working with me to pull off the impossible for Ella and our family to have the kindest goodbye.

Thank you to Mr Peter Turner, principal from Bray Park SHS, and his staff for all your support. Dropping in to pay respects and express sympathies for our loss, and the beautiful flowers that included a rose, were very fitting. Then again, to support Demetri in his apprenticeship and support him in school.

Plus, all the other people who have shown compassion through words and gestures.

Any support or donations would be much appreciated for the best mourning for our community as we process this cruel loss to the world. Once organised and possible, we will share the details for the community to share in the memorial service to honour this precious and beloved girl.