Traumatic few years inspires freefalling fundraiser

The 18-year-old knows all too well what those gut punches feel like.

When she was nine, she lost a close family member to brain cancer.

Unbeknownst to her, the tragedy would be just the beginning of what the insidious disease would take from her.

In early 2021, when she was 13, her mother was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer after an early misdiagnosis of reflux.

Ellee did not even have time to process the news before her mum died.

“By the time we found out, it had spread like wildfire and two days later she passed away with me by her side holding her hand,” she said.

“This is a moment I will never forget.”

Cancer’s wild swings kept hitting marks in her family.

Later that year, her grandfather — her mum’s dad — was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Then, late in 2023, just before the still grieving teen was to start her final year of high school, her father received the devastating news he had brain cancer.

Thankfully, both Ellee’s dad and grandad were successfully treated and are still by her side today.

Every year, more than 35,000 Victorians hear the words ‘you have cancer’.

Ellee is well aware her family is not the only one that has been presented with such detrimental health challenges.

“Whether we like it or not, every one of us is affected by cancer,” she said.

“The word alone makes my skin crawl.”

Ellee will perform her first-ever tandem skydive in Torquay on February 16 — a challenge she’s set herself to raise awareness about cancer and, in turn, funds for the Cancer Council.

She says the act will take her significantly out of her comfort zone.

“But it’s nowhere near as daunting as the thought of hearing that someone in my family or close to me has cancer again,” Ellee said.

She chose skydiving because she wanted to do something a little left of centre for the cause.

While funds raised in this way can be used to bankroll the activity, Ellee has opted to pay for the experience herself, ensuring every dollar donated by her supporters goes to the Cancer Council.

The charity provides life-saving cancer treatments, prevention programs and support services so that no-one has to face cancer alone.

Ellee’s preparation for the dive has consisted of mental elements alone.

Now she has gotten herself into the right headspace for it, she will jump from the plane regardless of whether she reaches her $3000 fundraising goal by Sunday.

At the time of publishing, the figure was at $1519.

“If I reach my goal of $3000 I would be absolutely thrilled but honestly I am just honoured to be able to fundraise for such a meaningful cause,” Ellee said.

“To anyone who supports this cause, I am forever grateful, thank you so, so much.

“It really means a lot to not only me but the many cancer patients this will be helping, and any amount makes a difference.”

Ellee said she was not too anxious about the “once-in-a-lifetime” experience yet, but said she expected the nerves to hit once the plane started its ascent.

“Then it will be like, this is actually happening,” Ellee said.

She wanted to remind people affected by cancer that they were not alone.

“Don’t be afraid to talk to someone about how you are feeling,” she said.

“To those thinking about fundraising, I say do it. It’s something that so many people can benefit from and if you make just one person’s life a little bit better then that would mean the absolute world to them and their family.”

∎ To donate to Ellee’s fundraiser, visit: tinyurl.com/25k3b57r