‘It’s like her camera stops the pain’, says mother of Harrogate teen with rare cancer

The mother of a Harrogate teen, whose daughter has just weeks to live, has given an insight into what life has been like since the diagnosis.

Liz Hatton, 17, was told she had a desmoplastic small round cell tumour – a sarcoma so rare only 12 cases are diagnosed per year in the UK – in February.

Her mother, Victoria, previously told the Stray Ferret the condition is so rare and aggressive that little is known about it and there is insufficient funding or recognition to find a treatment.

But this has not stopped Liz from fulfilling her dreams as a photographer. 

Last month, Liz was invited to photograph recipients of an investiture at Windsor Castle, where she met the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Today we caught up with Victoria on what Liz has been up to since. She said:

Liz also photographed two models who are signed to Storm Models agency, and spent the day with top photographer Gareth Cattermole, who has shot the likes of Taylor Swift and Lionel Messi.

Victoria published Liz’s bucket list in May, which included everything she wanted to photograph before the end of her life.

She has ticked off all but three, Victoria said, and she is still hoping to make those happen:

Liz is set to shoot a circus school in London next week, as well as the London Air Ambulance.

She is also spending two days with portrait photographer David Suh, who is flying over from Los Angeles to the UK to work with Liz. 

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‘We don’t have a guaranteed tomorrow’

The former Harrogate Grammar School student was diagnosed with cancer five weeks after complaining of abdominal pain and bloating.

Her parents took her to A&E, where doctors initially believed she may have ovarian cysts. But further scans revealed tumours in both of Liz’s ovaries, her liver and a larger mass in her omentum and peritoneum.

A treatment for the condition has never been found and only 15% of those diagnosed survive beyond five years.

Victoria said her family’s world was “torn apart” at the time.

She set up a fundraiser shortly after to raise money for Liz’s treatment. However, Victoria last month told the Stray Ferret her cancer has become chemo-resistant.

The money raised via the GoFundMe Page, which has more than doubled its £25,000 target, is now used to make Liz’s dreams a reality.

Victoria today said:

The Stray Ferret asked Victoria how she and Liz, who was asleep at the time of our call, find light in a dark situation. 

Victoria told us:

We also asked Victoria how Liz’s diagnosis has changed her outlook on life as a parent. She told the Stray Ferret:

Victoria cited a novel she recently read by author Sophie Kinsella, who has an aggressive form of brain cancer. The author describes life with her condition as "normal plus". 

Liz has weeks to live, Victoria told the Stray Ferret, but she said the family does not waste time dwelling on what they can’t change.

She said they are "so grateful" for the opportunities Liz has been – and still is being – given. They are way beyond the dreams she had before cancer, Victoria added. 

Victoria wanted to thank those who have donated to the GoFundMe – which you can still donate to here – as well as Liz’s medical team:

You can view Liz's work on her website or her Instagram page.