Mum Raises £625,000 to Save Two-Year-Old Daughter After Doctors Say Her Cancer Is Terminal

A heartbroken mother is racing to raise £625,000 for potentially life-saving treatment abroad after doctors reportedly told her that her two-year-old daughter’s cancer is terminal.

Alicia Rickman, from Totton in Hampshire, says her daughter Betty appears so healthy and full of life that strangers would have no idea she is battling a serious illness.

The toddler was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in July 2025 and has since undergone an intense series of treatments. However, further scans later revealed that the cancer had returned and spread, leaving her family desperately searching for another treatment option.

Betty Diagnosed After Days of Fever

Alicia first became concerned about Betty’s health in June 2025 when the young girl developed a fever that lasted for around 10 days.

According to her mother, Betty stopped eating and drinking, became unusually pale and sleepy, and had significantly less energy. Staff at her nursery also reportedly noticed that she was not behaving like herself.

Alicia initially feared her daughter could have a urinary tract infection, but she was reportedly told during earlier medical visits that Betty could be suffering from a viral illness or an ear infection.

After the symptoms continued, Alicia took Betty for further medical attention. She was eventually directed to Southampton for additional checks, where a triage nurse reportedly became concerned about her condition.

Blood tests were carried out, and doctors later informed the family that Betty’s blood levels were dangerously low and that cancer could be a possible explanation.

Gruelling Cancer Treatment and Life-Threatening Complications

Betty subsequently underwent an extensive course of treatment following her neuroblastoma diagnosis.

According to her mother, the toddler received eight rounds of rapid chemotherapy, additional chemotherapy and immunotherapy, stem cell harvesting, surgery and 12 radiotherapy sessions targeting her brain, spine and abdomen.

Her battle took another frightening turn in July 2025 when an abdominal tumour reportedly haemorrhaged, causing severe internal bleeding.

Alicia recalled how quickly Betty’s condition deteriorated, saying her daughter went from sitting up and watching nursery programmes in hospital to requiring a ventilator.

Betty was treated in intensive care, where doctors managed to stop the bleeding.

Despite the frightening ordeal, subsequent scans reportedly showed no active neuroblastoma cells elsewhere in her body at the time, giving the family hope that the cancer had been brought under control.

Cancer Later Found in Fluid Around Her Brain

However, the family’s hopes were shattered when later scans revealed that the cancer had progressed.

In July 2026, doctors reportedly found leptomeningeal disease, affecting the fluid surrounding Betty’s brain. The disease was also reportedly identified in her right knee, diaphragm and bone marrow.

The largest affected area in the fluid around her brain was said to measure approximately 5mm.

Doctors have since reportedly told Betty’s family that her prognosis is terminal and that they do not believe the treatment currently available to her through the NHS can cure the disease.

For Alicia, hearing the word “terminal” was devastating.

She says Betty remains energetic, happy and full of life, making the diagnosis even harder for the family to accept.

Parents Launch £625,000 Fundraiser for Treatment in Spain

Despite the devastating prognosis, Alicia and Betty’s father, Kelvin Gale, 33, say they are refusing to give up hope.

The parents are now trying to raise £625,000 to take Betty to SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital in Spain, where they hope she can receive further treatment.

The family learned about the potential treatment option through a Facebook support group.

According to Alicia, Betty could receive treatment known as RIST, alongside immunotherapy, while continuing treatment with lorlatinib, a drug that targets an ALK mutation she reportedly carries.

The family says the money is needed urgently as they race against time to access treatment.

Alicia said the NHS is currently providing treatment intended to help stabilise Betty’s condition for as long as possible, but the family hopes treatment abroad could give their daughter a chance of remission.

They have launched a fundraiser to help reach the £625,000 target, which had raised approximately £16,000 at the time of the report.

‘She Loves the World So Much’

Despite everything she has endured, Alicia describes Betty as a happy, loving and resilient child.

The two-year-old reportedly loves Bluey, Peppa Pig and Miss Rachel and remains full of energy and curiosity.

Betty knows she needs to take medicine, which her family affectionately calls “wiggle juice.”

Alicia says the hospital playroom and support from play specialists have also become an important source of comfort during Betty’s long and difficult treatment journey.

Her mother says Betty’s courage, determination and smile continue to give the family the strength to keep fighting.

For Alicia and Kelvin, the fundraising campaign represents far more than a financial target.

They believe reaching the £625,000 goal could give Betty access to another treatment option and, they hope, a chance to continue her fight against cancer.

As the family races to raise the money, Alicia says she remains determined to do everything possible for her daughter, describing Betty as a child who loves life and the world around her despite having spent much of her young life undergoing treatment.

The family is now appealing for support as they continue their urgent campaign to raise the funds needed to pursue treatment abroad.