Words by Smiley Team
For many children and young people with cancer the chance to ring the bell and celebrate the end of their treatment is a huge milestone.
But due to Covid restrictions in many hospitals children have been unable to share this moment with their family, friends and medical team.
Instead social workers from CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients and their families, have teamed up with paediatric oncology nurses at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Somerset, to take the end of treatment celebration on the road.
Together they are now delivering special end of treatment celebration boxes directly to children at their homes so they can still mark the end of an often gruelling process.
Inside the party box are a range of gifts for the child including fairy lights, balloons, glow sticks, messages from all the team involved in their care, a special ‘bead of courage’, a certificate and most importantly a little bell for them to ring.
The CLIC Sargent team and NHS nurses also arrange a video call with the young person, their family and friends, so everyone can still celebrate with them as they open their box and ring their bell.
Two-year-old Isla is one of the children who have received a celebration box after receiving treatment at Musgrove Park Hospital. Her mum Carly Ackroyd said: “Ringing the bell was something that we longed for, more so for our six-year-old son because it was a finish line for him.
“When we realised this wasn’t going to be possible because of the Covid restrictions in hospitals we felt heartbroken; but our nurse told us she was going to bring the bell to us so we could celebrate in our own home, all together. We could also set up a video link so that our friends and family, some of who live 350 miles away, could watch too.
“Isla was diagnosed with a brain tumour at eight months old and she finally rang the bell as a two-year-old with a big smile on her face, with her brother by her side and it was so emotional.
“It was the best day of my life and I felt so proud of them both. I will forever be grateful to everyone involved and making that day happen.”
Paediatric Oncology Outreach Nurse at Musgrove Park Hospital, Olivia Lines added: “Traditionally, at the end of treatment, the children would ring the big bell on the ward and have some of their friends and family there to celebrate but obviously we haven’t been able to do that, so we said that we would bring it out to them.
“It’s just something for them to keep and something to remember that day by because it’s such a massive journey for them to go through.”
To find out more about CLIC Sargent visit their website or follow them on Twitter.
