We’re supporting a bubbly three-year-old girl through her second cancer battle
A South Shields nursery is working to support a little girl who has been diagnosed with cancer for a second time.
Three-year-old Delilah Ansell was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) in July 2024 and following treatment at the Great North Children's Hospital, she rang the all-clear bell in August 2025.
However in February 2026, Delilah’s parents Rosanna and Brett were given the news that the cancer had returned in multiple areas, leading to the youngster requiring treatment immediately - including chemotherapy.
LCH is a rare, cancer-like disorder than impacts about one in 200,000 children - with around 50 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year.
Throughout her battle, the team at Westoe Village Kindergarten, on St George's Avenue, in South Shields, have been supporting Delilah and her family.
Hayley Smith, a Room Manager at Westoe Village Kindergarten, has told the Shields Gazette that Delilah continues to be a happy little girl to everyone around her despite her diagnosis.
She said: “She is a happy, bubbly little girl who was unfortunately first diagnosed in July 2024 before getting the all clear but she has since become unwell again.
“She is undergoing treatment but she is responding to it really well to it.
“Delilah is such a lovely little character who is so peaceful and happy all of the time, even when she is getting her medication.
“Her and her mam have a little thing where they do a counting game when she is getting her medicine which always keeps her calm.
“She has lovely little friendships here, all the children love to play with her and she loves to play with all the other children.”
The team at Westoe Village Kindergarten have organised a ‘Dip for Delilah’ at Littlehaven Beach on Saturday, March 21, in an effort to raise money, support and awareness for the youngster’s family.
The group is set to meet at around 9.30am and will be looking to take on the dip at around 9.45am - with members of the public invited to join them.
Hayley added: “It means a lot of us at the nursery to be able to support Delilah and her family at this time.
“We’ve spoken to Rosanna who wants to get the word out and raise awareness about LCH because it is a very rare diagnosis.
“All the girls that work at the nursey will be taking part in the dip and Rosanna has said that she will also be joining us on the day.
“There is now about 20 of us who are doing it and anyone else who wants to join in is more than welcome.
“The fundraiser has been a big help to the family, Rosanna’s car was written off a few weeks ago so she has been using public transport to get Delilah to the hospital for appointments.
“So the fundraiser has been a big help for them for simple day-to-day activities.”
You can view and donate to Delilah’s fundraiser at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/delilahs-journey-256td.
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