AN EIGHT-year-old boy who overcame cancer at the age of just 11-months-old is now suffering from an inoperable condition which causes tumours to grown along the length of his nerves.


Young Ellis Smith has suffered from neurofibromatosis for four years, which at one time saw tumours growing more quickly than the child himself. 
He was at one time barely able to move his neck due to the size of one of the tumours at the top of his spine. 


He is now blind in one eye and needs a constant supply of morphine to help him cope with the pain. 


He still has problems with his movement and has to have around the clock care.


When Ellis was just 11 months old he was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder with the treatment for that condition at Great Ormond Street Hospital also involving the removal of his prostate in order to prevent the cancer from spreading.


Parents Neil and Ceri Smith are hoping to improve their son’s quality of life by buying  him an electric wheelchair which will give him some independence.
Mum Mrs Smith, of Thorncliffe Road, St Dials, Cwmbran said: “He has had a tough life since his first cancer diagnosis seven years ago, it has just got worse and worse. 


“We try to keep Ellis as happy as we can, he does suffer a lot of pain but seeing his face when he tested one of these wheelchairs was one of the happiest moments.”


Mrs Smith, 33, added: “He has had tumours growing in both sides of his neck, his chest, arms, both armpits and in his upper spine.


“We have him home schooled by a teacher as he suffers with anxiety and it is the best thing for him as he doesn’t like the feeling of being different and not being able to do things like other children.”


In just a week, since Ellis’s auntie Carla Gooch set up a fundraising page, more than £1,600 has already been raised towards the £6,000 cost of the wheelchair.


Between his parents and grandmother Trish Mayers, the family provides around the clock care as he has to be constantly hooked to an emergency breathing tube and provided with oxygen for 12 hours every night.


Mrs Smith added: “My mum has been brilliant and she looks after Ellis and his four-year-old sister Amelie to give us some time to rest.


“It has been really heart-warming, the support we have got so far and a couple of friends have been discussing doing events to help us get the money needed.”


You can donate at http://bit.ly/29FyWow