Amelia ‘Millie’ Ingram is fighting the battle of her life.
Less than three months ago, 23-year old Millie was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, Metastatic Chondrosarcoma.
A persistent back pain led Millie to seek out a number of different treatments to relieve her pain.
After being sent home from Gold Coast University Hospital’s emergency department with a steroid injection and some pain medication, Millie sought a second opinion and pursued getting scans the hospital felt were unnecessary.
A PET scan, MRI’s and biopsy found a Metastatic Chondrosarcoma tumour the size of a coffee cup at the base of her spine.
Millie’s mother, Belinda, said this type of cancer is very rare.
“The oncologist said he has only treated five cases at the PA Hospital in the last few years.”
“It is generally a cancer only seen in people over the age of 50.
“There are very limited resources available in Australia to treat this type of cancer. It will not respond to chemotherapy and given the location of the tumour; surgery is extremely risky.”
Although Millie is undergoing radiation treatment to shrink the tumour, this is not a cure.
The family is looking for any treatment to help Millie overcome her battle with cancer, but this will almost certainly mean travelling overseas or interstate.
“We just have to get Millie better,” said Belinda.
“She is such a beautiful, gentle soul and the strength and resilience she has shown since finding out about this unexpected journey is simply unbelievable.”
“I don’t know why Millie has been dealt this deck of cards, but what I do know is that her bravery, courage and determination is far greater and bigger than the cancer itself and she will conquer this journey.”
Millie was born and raised in Canungra with her sister Isabelle and parents Belinda and Andrew.
She was Canungra State School Captain in 2013 and then attended Tamborine Mountain State High School. After completing a year at Griffith University studying Nutrition and Dietetics, Millie decided that cooking was her real passion and she has recently completed her chef apprenticeship.
Millie was nominated for Pink Assist by a family friend and these funds have been gratefully received and used to pay for medication and petrol to get to and from radiation treatments at the PA hospital each day.
Belinda’s sister, Rebecca Lindell, has started a GoFundMe page which has raised over $50,000 so far.
“We have been so overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of so many people, we are incredibly grateful for the support we have been given. We are getting closer each day to the funds we need to enable Millie to travel to where she needs to go and to pay for the treatments that will support her recovery and a cure,” said Belinda.
“It is very humbling to have the level of support from not only family and friends but the whole community.”
“Millie is part of the fabric of Canungra and we are determined to find a cure no matter where we need to go.”
To donate to Millie’s treatment, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/rare-like-millie
