Imagine being told as a teenager that you’ll never have children, only to defy all odds and hold your baby in your arms years later. That’s the extraordinary story of Leah Cullen, a 25-year-old from Blyth, Northumberland, who has turned her life into a testament of hope and resilience. But here’s where it gets even more astonishing—Leah, a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with tailbone cancer at just 13, discovered she was 30 weeks pregnant with her daughter, Aria, in 2024, despite doctors insisting she could never carry a child.
Leah’s journey hasn’t been easy. After undergoing surgery and radiotherapy as a teen, she was left with chronic pain that confines her to a wheelchair. Yet, when she experienced bladder pain and underwent a scan, the news was nothing short of miraculous. ‘I was in shock,’ Leah recalls. ‘The nurse said, “You didn’t tell me you were pregnant,” and I replied, “I didn’t know I was pregnant!”’
And this is the part most people miss—Leah’s story isn’t just about becoming a mother; it’s about the mental and physical battles she’s fought along the way. As a spokesperson for Children with Cancer UK, she openly shares her struggles with mental health after cancer, admitting, ‘Life after cancer is tough. There were times I felt, “Why me?”’ Even at 13, she knew she wanted children, so being told it was impossible was devastating. ‘Finding out I was pregnant was pure joy,’ she says, but the journey wasn’t without challenges. Leah had to stop taking her daily painkillers during pregnancy, enduring excruciating pain to ensure her baby’s health. ‘There were times I physically couldn’t move,’ she admits.
Aria was born in December 2024, healthy and thriving, with no side effects from the medication. But here’s the controversial part—while Leah’s story is inspiring, it also highlights the harsh realities of childhood cancer. Statistics from Children with Cancer UK reveal that every day, 10 children are diagnosed with cancer, and two of them won’t survive. Of those who do, over half face long-term, life-limiting side effects. Gavin Maggs, the charity’s CEO, emphasizes, ‘We need to share stories like Leah’s to show young people they can still lead fulfilling lives after cancer.’*
Leah, who recently celebrated Aria’s first birthday, believes young cancer patients need to ‘talk more’ about their experiences. ‘Cancer changes you,’ she reflects. ‘You might think this isn’t the life you imagined, but it’s a life, and we need to be thankful. If someone had told me I’d be here with a one-year-old, I’d have called it impossible. Yet, here I am, happier than ever.’*
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question for you—how can we better support young cancer survivors in rebuilding their lives, both physically and emotionally? Leah’s story proves that miracles can happen, but it also reminds us of the ongoing challenges these individuals face. Let’s keep the conversation going—share your thoughts in the comments below.
