In May 2021, Beth underwent major surgery to remove the tumour along with her entire left scapula (shoulder blade). This type of surgery, while physically demanding and life‑changing, is sometimes necessary when tumours cannot be controlled through chemotherapy alone.
Radiotherapy
Despite the challenges, her parents said she “took it all in her stride” and remained calm and strong even during the most difficult medical procedures.
By the end of 2021, after nine months of treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, Beth was declared cancer‑free — a moment of immense relief and celebration for her family. Her return home was marked by joy, and Beth quickly returned to normal childhood pursuits, including celebrating her 12th birthday and going on a family holiday just before Christmas.
Relapse and the Reality of Rare Cancer
Just months after her return home and after seeming to enjoy a period of health, Beth began to experience troubling symptoms again in 2022. Her right shoulder began to hurt — a pain her doctors initially attributed to normal growing pains or changes in her body from the prior surgery and treatments.
But the pain persisted and intensified. When further imaging was finally performed in June 2022, the heartbreaking truth was revealed: the cancer had returned, this time in her right lung. A relapse of Ewing sarcoma — especially one that had spread to vital organs like the lungs — carries a very poor prognosis and limited treatment options.
Faced with this news, the Phelps family had to make one of the most difficult decisions parents can ever face: whether to pursue further aggressive treatment or focus on palliative care. They chose to bring her home and make her remaining time as comfortable and loving as possible with her family and beloved pets by her side.
Beth passed away peacefully from her illness on 3 October 2022, just 12 days shy of her 13th birthday.
The World Reacts: Awareness, Mourning, and Action
A Legacy of Awareness and Advocacy
Recognising the need for greater research into rare childhood cancers like Ewing sarcoma, the family established the “Love Beth” fund. This initiative works to raise vital funds for research into understanding, treating, and ultimately preventing bone cancers such as Ewing sarcoma.
Their effort has also focused on pushing for greater awareness among both the public and healthcare professionals, so that rare cancers are suspected and investigated earlier — even when symptoms appear mild or ambiguous.
Beth’s mother, Aby, has spoken publicly about how children’s cancers often receive significantly less attention and funding than cancers in adults, despite the heartbreak and loss they cause families.
Community Challenges and Fundraising
In honour of Beth’s memory, numerous fundraising events and physical challenges have been organised, from cycling across regions to charity sports and family fun days, all aiming to bring communities together to support research. These efforts not only honour Beth’s life but also help ensure that other families might one day avoid a similar loss.
Broader Context: Childhood Cancers and Early Signs
Research shows that a significant portion of young people do not recognise even the main warning signs of cancer — lapses in knowledge that can delay diagnosis and treatment.
For example, common potential warning signs in children may include:
Unusual lumps or swelling
Persistent pain or changes in bone or joint function
Unexplained fatigue or weight changes
Night sweats or fever without infection
Persistent or worsening symptoms over time
Many of these symptoms overlap with normal childhood experiences — from growing pains and sports injuries to common fatigue — which is precisely why both parental vigilance and physician awareness are so important.
What Experts Say: The Importance of Vigilance
Health professionals emphasise that while most childhood symptoms are caused by non‑cancerous conditions, persisting, unusual, or unexplained symptoms should always be investigated thoroughly. Early detection of cancer — even of rare forms — can significantly improve outcomes and provide more treatment options.
Parents are often advised to trust their instincts: if something feels not right with their child, they should insist on further evaluation. Doctors generally agree that prompt imaging, blood tests, and specialist referrals can help rule out serious conditions quickly and with minimal risk.
A Family’s Strength and a Community’s Response
The Phelps family’s experience, while deeply personal and painful, has helped shed light on the broader challenges parents and healthcare systems face in identifying and treating rare childhood cancers.
Beth’s courage, her parents’ bravery, and the support of their community have fostered a powerful awareness that reaches far beyond their home island of Jersey. Through fundraising, public speaking, and advocacy, they have helped to ensure that Beth’s legacy is one that may one day save lives.
As her father Ben has said in interviews, the hope is that through awareness and research, fewer families will endure the heartbreak they have known.
Final Reflections: Childhood, Loss, and Hope
Beth’s story is a reminder that life can change in an instant — and that sometimes those changes come in small, unexpected ways, like a lump noticed while brushing teeth. Her family’s love and commitment, her community’s support, and the ongoing effort to fight rare cancers offer hope that one day no family will have to bury a child.
This tragedy has sparked action, raised awareness about rare childhood cancers, and brought into focus the importance of early detection. While nothing can replace a lost child, Beth’s legacy inspires others to look closely, listen intently, and act decisively when signs appear — no matter how small they may seem.
Sources
This article was compiled using journalistic coverage and verified sources including “Love Beth – Special Funds” from the Bone Cancer Research Trust detailing Beth’s story and battle with Ewing sarcoma.
Insights about childhood cancer awareness and symptoms were referenced to medical education sites and cancer research reports.
Author’s Note: This article is written in the spirit of reporting on real events and emphasising public health awareness. It respects the memory of Beth and the experiences of countless families affected by childhood cancer.
