In 2019, Morven was diagnosed with a rare tumour in her eyelid when she was just seven years old. She was immediately referred to The Royal Marsden where she underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She finished her treatment in July 2020 and was declared cancer free in September the same year. Last summer, Morven played at a Chelsea FC summer camp and hopes to play professionally one day.
Morven’s family take part in Celebrate a Life every year since her diagnosis, naming a star to celebrate Morven and how far she's come. Morven’s mother Cara tells their remarkable story.
Morven’s diagnosis
“In November 2019, we noticed that Morven had a slightly drooping left eyelid. I took her to the optician who said there was some kind of problem with the muscle controlling her eyelid. We were referred for an MRI and, while we waited for it, the drooping got worse and the eye began to bulge and turn purple. Within weeks the eye was completely closed.
“Two days after the MRI, I received a call from the ophthalmology consultant to tell me that the MRI showed a tumour in the left eyelid. They asked us to collect Morven from school and bring her in immediately. I will never forget that call.”
Coming to The Royal Marsden
“We were referred to The Royal Marsden and seen by Dr Julia Chisholm and her team within days. She ordered an immediate biopsy and several scans. It was a week before we received a full diagnosis.
“In that week we tried to keep everything as normal as possible for Morven and her siblings (she is one of five children).
“Dr Chisholm told us that the cancer had not spread, but it was an aggressive rhabdomyasarcoma in the soft tissue of the left eyelid. She told us there would be nine rounds of chemo, three weeks apart, and six weeks of radiotherapy. It was so much to take in, but she was kind, gentle and reassuring and I knew we were in the best possible place.
“The first round of chemo was brutal. Morven was constantly sick. Subsequent rounds were a little easier as the anti-sickness meds became more tailored. She actually recovered quickly from each round, even competing in the inter-schools cross country just two days after leaving hospital."
“So thankful”
“I am so grateful to nurse Cat at the Oak Centre for Children and Young People. I had no experience of cancer treatment or what to expect, and she was just an incredible support. I knew I could phone her at any hour of the day and she would always get back to me. Having somebody there on your behalf, you can’t put a value on that.
“Everyone, from Dr Julia to those who came in to clean, were just incredible. I honestly don’t think Morven would be here today if it wasn’t for Dr Julia.
“I’m so thankful the bulk of Morven’s care and treatment happened at The Royal Marsden. Our care and the people we met made the whole experience more bearable.”
Cancer free with a passion for football
“Morven finished treatment in July 2020 and was declared cancer free in September 2020. She is fit and healthy, excelling at school and in sports.
“At just 11 years old, she was playing for a football academy club, Kilmarnock FC, and represented them in the national performance league at under 14-level. Last summer she realised her dream of playing for Chelsea FC at a summer camp run by them and hopes one day to play professionally. Now, at age 12, Morven has recently signed to play football for Glasgow Rangers.
"Morven inspires us every day and I hope her story might be helpful to others. As a family, her brother Ellis raised £3,000 for The Royal Marsden at the time of her diagnosis by shaving his head, and I raised a further £4,000 by running an ultramarathon from London to Brighton.
“We hope by talking about how Morven and our family have come through this experience we will let others know how incredible and life changing The Royal Marsden is. Without them, I am convinced Morven would not be alive.”
Taking part in Celebrate a Life
“We have named a star every year since Morven’s diagnosis, and I’ve attended the service a few times. It is a wonderful celebration of how far we have come.
“Morven was being scanned every seven weeks but now it’s every four months. We have three more years until she will be five years cancer free.
“Morven isn’t just living, she is thriving and living her best life. We could not be more grateful to The Royal Marsden for this and are looking forward to donating a star again this year as part of Celebrate a Life.”
We invite you to name a star for someone special
Behind every star is a story, and Celebrate a Life is a unique way to celebrate those most special to you.
Name a star this year and make a vital difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families.