Ben Watkins MasterChef Junior
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MasterChef Junior star diagnosed with rare cancer three years after parents died in murder-suicide

Ben Watkins appeared in series six of Masterchef Junior

MasterChef Junior star Ben Watkins is battling a rare cancer at the age of just 13.

The heartbreaking news comes just three years after his parents died in a murder-suicide.

Ben has received a diagnosis for Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma.

The teen began treatment for the rare form of cancer just days after his 13th birthday.

Ben’s family have confirmed that he is undergoing chemotherapy.

MasterChef Junior star has extremely rare cancer

ben watkins masterchef junior
The MasterChef Junior star has an extremely rare cancer (Credit: FOX)

Both Ben’s parents died in 2017, in a murder-suicide.

According to the Chicago Tribune, his father fatally shot his mother and then himself.

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Ben had just wrapped filming series six of 2018’s MasterChef Junior.

Airing in the US on channel Fox, Gordon Ramsay hosts.

Although Ben didn’t win, he was a favourite with viewers.

GoFundMe page for MasterChef Junior star

gordon ramsay
Gordon Ramsay hosted MasterChef Junior (Credit: FOX)

A GoFundMe campaign raised over $30,000 (£22,800) for Ben after his parents’ death.

However, the campaign has fresh support under the hashtag #Love4Ben.

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The fund is trying to raise money to cover Ben’s hospital bills and future educational costs.

The GoFundMe campaign page is run by his grandmother and uncle.

This information includes: “Ben is an aspiring chef.

“He opened Big Ben’s Bodacious BBQ and Delicatessen in the Miller Community of Gary, Indiana with his late parents, Leila Edwards and Mike Watkins.

MasterChef Junior star undergoing cancer treatment

ben watkins
Ben appeared in campaign imagery for the series (Credit: FOX)

“Shortly after his 13th birthday, Ben was diagnosed with a rare illness called Angiomatoid Fibrous Histiocytoma. [It’s] a soft tissue tumour usually in children and young adults.

“Young Ben is one of only six people in the entire world with this illness. Ben is currently undergoing treatment at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

“Despite all of Ben’s trials and tribulations, he remains positive. He looks forward to getting back in the kitchen and pursuing his dream to become an engineer.”

Ben Watkins’ parents died in murder-suicide

ben watkins leila
Ben with his late mother Leila (Credit: GoFundMe)

Finally, the campaign adds: “We want Ben to be able to continue his education in the culinary arts and/or engineering.”

“On behalf of Grandma Donna and Uncle Anthony, thank you for your #Love4Ben!”

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor