Toddler given 48 hours to live defies the odds

A toddler who was given just 48 hours to live will spend Christmas with his family after making a surprising recovery.

Eli Morgan, from South Australia, who was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, underwent a treatment only administered as a last resort, and is now in remission.

Doctors discovered the abnormal growth in his chest just two days after he was born.

His parents tried chemotherapy but it was unsuccessful and he was placed in palliative care.

"He didn't have no strength, he couldn't fight so as a mother it's my job to fight for him so that's what I did," his mother Kodie Keed told 9News.

"No one should ever have to plan their child's funeral so that was one of the hardest things that I had to do."

Last October, Eli was given the opportunity to trial a new drug. His tumour shrunk to a size that meant it could be surgically removed.

"I cried, and cried and cried and cried with happiness, joy, relief," Ms Keed said.

"Never ever ever give up hope."

Doctors are hopeful Eli's story will encourage more research into targeted drug therapy.

Dr Christopher Kirby said Eli is now a "normal two-year-old" and will "make old bones".

"I think he has a full life ahead of him," Dr Kirby said.

Eli’s family have chosen to share his story to raise awareness of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital foundation, in Adelaide, which helped them through their battle.