Anna Wills, who was diagnosed with a peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma last summer, is raising vital funds for Sarcoma UK with help from her eight-year-old daughter Penny
A Chingford woman who was diagnosed with a rare cancer is holding a charity bake sale with her eight-year-old daughter on Saturday (31st January).
In April 2025, Anna Mills started to experience leg pain. An initial MRI scan did not provide any answers and after a further scan it was suggested that she had a trapped nerve in her back. Later, medics said Anna might have ovarian cancer.
After being seen by five different hospitals, Anna was given the shock news in August that she had a peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma measuring 15cm x 10cm. There are an average of 72 cases of this subtype of sarcoma diagnosed every year in England. Anna’s tumour had grown from the main nerve in her abdomen into her left leg.
The 44-year-old had never heard of sarcoma before her diagnosis and admits her life was “turned upside down”. She said: “It was a huge shock. As a single parent, I was very concerned about my daughter.”
She had an operation at the end of August to remove the contents of the tumour while leaving the ‘casing’ – the position of the tumour, surrounded by major veins, meant it was too risky to remove everything. But surgeons had to remove the nerve, which left Anna with a mechanical brace on her leg. Currently cancer-free, Anna has scans every three months to monitor her wellbeing.
In the meantime, she has had to contend with a loss of mobility. She had to use a walking frame and then crutches and still needs a leg brace. But her eight-year-old daughter Penny has been her “biggest cheerleader”. Anna said: “It has been hard for Penny, she has had lots of questions but has been really brave.”
She adds that Penny’s school, Winns Primary, has been supportive and helped to publicise Anna’s fundraising.
Bake sales are something that Anna and Penny have been able to do together to raise awareness of sarcoma and funds for Sarcoma UK. One was held outside their home a few weeks ago and another will take place this Saturday (31st January) at the Dog and Duck pub in Chingford Road, Walthamstow, from 3.30pm-6pm.
Anna, who has just returned to her job with a travel company, said: “I’d like to raise money for Sarcoma UK as, although I was incredibly lucky, it’s on my conscience that many aren’t as lucky as I was. There is no cure for sarcoma – that must change – and I would like to help make that happen any way that I can. While I can’t run marathons, I can bake and that’s a lovely thing to do with my daughter too.”
Chief executive of Sarcoma UK, Richard Davidson, said: “Fundraising efforts like this bake sale are vital in supporting our work to provide information, fund research and offer help through our Support Line. We encourage anyone affected by sarcoma – whether a patient, family member or friend – to reach out to us. Every conversation, every cake sold, every pound raised brings us that bit closer to better outcomes for sarcoma patients.”
To donate to Anna’s fundraising, go to justgiving.com/page/annamills
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
