The parents of a 13-year-old girl from Hythe, Kent, who has a rare form of childhood cancer, are struggling with the financial burden of her care, fearing they may lose their home. Maya was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that typically affects young children, when she was three years old. After five years in remission, the disease returned in 2023, requiring ongoing treatment and care. Her mother, Dellanie, who works as an NHS nurse, says the family is under immense pressure to manage bills and a mortgage while both parents have had to reduce their work hours to care for Maya. "While your child is poorly and you're fighting for her life, the bills don't stop coming," Dellanie said, highlighting the daily financial strain on their family of five. Maya, described by her mother as a "larger than life person" who loves animals and music, was initially treated at specialist hospitals, including the Royal Marsden in London and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Her treatment has included participation in a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy, a cutting-edge treatment typically used for blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. However, the trial led to a brain injury that left Maya "profoundly disabled," according to her mother. This has forced her father, Terry, to leave his job to care for her full-time, while Dellanie has had to reduce her working hours to support the family. The financial burden on families of children with cancer is significant. According to the charity Young Lives vs Cancer, families face average extra costs of around £700 a month and an average loss of income of about £6,000 per household. Sonia Malik, the charity's associate policy director, said that these costs often force families to use savings and can cause chaos in their lives. "The financial stress should be the last thing families have to think about," she said, emphasizing the need for better support. While some financial assistance is available, such as disability benefits and carer's allowance, it can take time for families to access these supports. Dellanie remains grateful for what they have, saying Maya is a "fighter" with a strong spirit. Despite the challenges, the family continues to focus on Maya's care and recovery, hoping for better days ahead.