Mother’s Innovative Gut-Friendly Recipes Boost Son’s AML Survival, Defying Cancer Through Nutrition

A Surrey business owner, Sarah Cripps, 38, has credited her innovative, gut-friendly recipes with dramatically improving her young son Teddy’s chances of surviving acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Diagnosed on April 1, 2022, when Teddy was just 18 months old, Sarah recalls the ordeal as “the worst April Fools’ joke ever.” With doctors warning that Teddy’s chance of survival was a mere 13%, Sarah was determined to “take control” of the situation.

Despite Teddy having to undergo chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, Sarah’s background in nutrition led her to work closely with healthcare professionals from around the globe. She developed a series of recipes rich in fruits and vegetables—ranging from shepherd’s pie and spaghetti Bolognese to smoothies and broths—designed to help Teddy consume “35 to 50 plant materials a week”, reported by Surrey Live.

Although she does not believe that food alone cures cancer, Sarah is convinced that her holistic approach played a crucial role in Teddy’s recovery, as he “flew through treatment” with minimal side effects and now boasts a 97% probability of cure.

Sarah has encapsulated her journey and insights in a new book titled Cancer Isn’t All About Chemo, described as “based on science.” In the book, she outlines integrative nutrition and lifestyle strategies that can support conventional medical treatments.

Speaking to PA Real Life, she stated: “Food is medicine. It doesn’t mean it is the only medicine. I cannot guarantee that every single person who implements our methods will survive … but the message is that there is hope.”

According to Blood Cancer UK, symptoms of AML can include tiredness, bruising, bleeding, fever, bone or joint pain, and lumps. For Teddy, Sarah noted that he was lethargic, “puffy” and had “the appearance of a virus.” When she later discovered lumps on the back of his head, she pursued a second opinion after their GP initially dismissed his symptoms.

This second assessment led to Teddy’s AML diagnosis, and he was promptly transferred from St George’s Hospital to The Royal Marsden in London, where doctors outlined the need for both chemotherapy and a “lifesaving” bone marrow transplant.

Teddy’s journey was further complicated by donor matching issues. Despite having a non-identical twin brother named George, Teddy was not a perfect match and had to be placed on the donor waiting list. “I was driving home and crying, just thinking, I can’t do this, something’s got to be out there,” Sarah recalled. She added, “And then I just remember hearing the voice of my best friend who passed away just after my wedding and she said, ‘You need to pull yourself together, you can do this’.”

Inspired by Dr William Li’s TED Talk – Can We Eat To Starve Cancer? – Sarah, with her extensive nutritional expertise, refined her recipes, working closely with The Royal Marsden hospital kitchen. “I would cook fresh food and I would pack it into Thermos flasks,” she explained.

Her diligent efforts, along with rigorous oversight from Teddy’s medical team, resulted in minimal chemotherapy side effects; Teddy lost his hair only after his bone marrow transplant in August 2022 and “never required any pain medication.” One healthcare professional noted, “in the 12 years that they’d worked on that ward, they’d never ever seen a child go through treatment like Teddy.”

Determined to alleviate the “financial strain” that she and her husband Kurt endured—totaling around £65,000—Sarah has written her book to empower others with informed choices. “I think it’s important to give people information so they can make informed decisions alongside their medical teams,” she said. Launching on World Cancer Day, her book provides a comprehensive guide to holistic methods that include optimising nutrition, managing stress, and prioritising quality sleep.

Praised by healthcare experts like retired professor of pathology AbulKalam M Shamsuddin as a “must-read book for cancer patients and their beloved ones,” Sarah’s work is about building up the body to work synergistically with cancer treatment. “It’s about looking at building somebody’s body up so it can work with the cancer treatment to get better results,” she explained. “I’m trying to give the world something that gives you hope when you don’t feel like there’s any hope left.”

A spokesperson for The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust affirmed, “We have specialised dietetics and catering teams available to provide bespoke, freshly cooked and highly nutritious food for all of our young patients during their time with us. Patients and families can discuss their dietary requirements and preferences with our team, who go above and beyond to deliver a variety of the best possible meals and options for patients to make eating and drinking easier for those on treatment. It is vital for children and young people to maintain their nutritional status and support their growth and development during treatment.”