The lasting impact and legacy of Lisa's late son
2025-09-01
Nearly two decades have passed since two Christy kids underwent cancer treatment in tandem. Their mum, Lisa, says one saved the other.
Advancements in medical research give us confidence that one day we will reach a 100% survival rate for children with cancer.
Despite what she’s endured, Lisa Christy is one such optimist.
At just three years old, Lisa’s son Ben tragically passed away on Christmas Eve in 2006 from a Wilms’ tumour, which develops in the kidneys. Nearly two decades have passed since, but Ben’s legacy is as strong as ever. The family recently celebrated Ben’s 21st birthday by opening a bottle of scotch and reading a beautiful note penned by his father, Aaron.
“Ben taught me to live each day being happy, doing what you want to do, and connecting with the people around you,” Lisa says.
“I would never wish what he went through on anyone, but he was so brave. If a little boy, at two years old, could face what he did, how can I ever complain about hardship?”
The little larrikin
Ben is never far from his mum’s mind. Time hasn’t taken away her love or her wounds, which have shaped who she is. Lisa’s memories and stories of her son make you feel like they’re days old. Ben is often described as “the life of the party.”
A routine day watching husband Aaron’s rugby team turned into quite the story about Ben.
“Someone yelled out that a little kid in a yellow skivvy was driving a golf buggy. I’d dressed Ben in a yellow skivvy that day. It was Ben steering the cart around!
“By the time we managed to stop the cart, he was in a fit of laughter. He just said to me with a huge grin on his face, ‘Mum, that was the best thing ever’.”
Ben and Ella's battle
The Wilms’ tumour Ben suffered was genetic. His father had one as a child, which resulted in a nephrectomy and radiation at a similar age to Ben, but the family were told that Wilms’ tumours weren’t genetically transferred.
Ben began treatment immediately, but during that time, Lisa fell pregnant with Ben’s sister, Ella. Lisa soon underwent tests, with the oncology team certain Ella too had a Wilms’ tumour.
At four months old, and with her older brother in the middle of his own treatment program, Ella had a successful operation to remove pieces of a Wilms’ tumour she was born with.
“We’ve always felt that Ben could have been saved, we just didn’t know.
“That’s really heart-wrenching.
“But while it was too late to save Ben’s life, he saved Ella’s. Because he was born first and we could recognise the cancer early, we were able to save her.”
“He never made things hard for us, even though he could have. Instead, he took everything in his stride, even right through to his last breath.
“He was the bravest little boy. There were very sad moments, but his strength and courage stay with us always,” Lisa says.
A mother's hope
Ben passed away on Christmas Eve in 2006, when his sister was only 18 months old. Ella has now been in remission for 15 years, and regular checkups indicate she’s on track with her health. She works two jobs, has a boyfriend and plenty of friends as she continues to enjoy her life.
Her memories of Ben remain, despite losing him at such a young age. The first time she said her brother’s name was when she said goodbye to him.
Ella’s incredible recovery and survival through research is what drives Lisa’s belief that a world of a 100% survival rate with no long- term side effects is possible.
“If Ben had been born today, I have no doubt he would still be with us,” she says.
“Losing your child feels like someone has reached in and pulled your heart out. You’re left with a hole you can’t ever fix, but you have to continue.
“We can get to 100% survival, but we won’t unless we have the right funding for researchers to develop the technologies that drive those breakthroughs.
“I truly believe we’re so close to treatments that can change the lives of children with cancer. We’ve come so far and managed to save so many already.
“Every day we live knowing that had Ben been diagnosed today, he would likely have been cured through the incredible research and advances in medical technologies and treatments.
“Let’s invest in developing better treatments, so fewer children are robbed of living a long and healthy life, and families are denied the opportunity to continue creating memories with them.”
To invest in the better treatments Lisa speaks of, hit the button below.