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Wigan Teen's Brave Battle Against Rare Cancer Ends at 15
24 Apr
Summary
- Alyssa Ashcroft, a 15-year-old police cadet, tragically passed away from cancer.
- She was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening illness called HLH.
- Alyssa was recognized by Beads of Courage for her strength during treatment.
A 15-year-old volunteer police cadet from Wigan, Alyssa Ashcroft, has passed away after a short battle with cancer. Alyssa was a student at Deanery Church of England High School and joined the GMP Wigan Cadet Unit in March 2025. Her passing on April 12, 2026, followed a brief but aggressive illness.
Initially diagnosed with glandular fever, Alyssa's condition worsened, leading to the discovery of lumps on her liver and chest. Doctors later diagnosed her with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a life-threatening condition where the immune system attacks the body's organs. This was triggered by the Epstein-Barr virus.
Alyssa spent her 15th birthday in intensive care and endured numerous treatments and tests with remarkable resilience. She had previously been honored by Beads of Courage, an organization supporting children with serious illnesses, for her strength. Greater Manchester Police have offered support to those affected by her death.
