ITV Share By Jade Brown Sep 17 2025 By Jade Brown Sep 17 2025 Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper heaps praise on her 'beautiful' sister after cancer milestone Francesca battled cancer when she was just 14 Belle Dingle Eden Taylor-Draper Share By Jade Brown Sep 17 2025 By Jade Brown Sep 17 2025 Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper has praised her “beautiful” sister Francesca following a big cancer milestone. Francesca Taylor-Draper was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia seven years ago when she was just 14 years old. Following months of treatment, she was eventually given the all clear and is now celebrating 5 years being cancer free. Eden shared her sister’s story (Credit: @swedentd/Instagram) Eden Taylor-Draper praises sister after cancer milestone Eden, who has played Belle Dingle in Emmerdale since 2005, has taken to Instagram to praise her younger sister after she reached the major milestone. Francesca uploaded a post recalling her cancer battle. She wrote: “From 97% of my blood being cancerous, undergoing 2 years of chemotherapy to now, 5 years cancer free!” article continues below Read all the latest spoilers She then heaped praise on the Teenage Cancer Trust, writing: “I was treated on a @teenage_cancer ward. Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity that receives no government funding. The difference they make for all young people going through cancer treatment is incredible, but it is only possible with the generosity of the public. If you can donate, please do. I feel the benefits of their impact every single day.” Eden shared Francesca’s post, adding the message: “My beautiful sister. So proud & so grateful @teenage_cancer.” Eden and Francesca appeared on Lorraine together (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Eden and Francesca open up about cancer battle A year after being given the all clear, Francesca appeared on Lorraine with her older sister Eden and the pair opened up about the cancer battle. Eden shared: “It was so tough to see someone you love so much and so tiny go through all of that and as much as you’re there supporting them, you can’t fix it and you can’t help.” Speaking about the diagnosis, Eden said everyone at Emmerdale was “amazing”. She added: “I was just in shock. They gave me a month off, so while Ches was in intensive chemo, I could be there. They’re amazing.” Opening up about what she went through, Francesca said: “I had acute lymphoblastic lymphoma which is a form of blood cancer. At the time of my diagnosis, my cancerous cells were at 97 per cent. So there was only three per cent of my blood that was classed as healthy. “I felt tired and I lost quite a bit of weight. But the most telling thing was I was having these really bad leg pains, like excruciating to the point where I couldn’t walk.” Francesca shared that she also suffered mentally. She said: “Being a teenage girl is hard anyway, and adding cancer to that, I think my mental health took a massive toll. “Everyone is affected by it. It wasn’t just me. I saw my family get so upset about it and I think you don’t want to feel like a burden…” Francesca lost her hair and even caught sepsis while receiving treatment, but is now celebrating 5 years of being cancer free. Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Jade Brown Sep 17 2025 By Jade Brown Sep 17 2025
