Bell ringing celebrations for our Pinckney ward and play team staff
Last week, staff on our Pinckney ward and in our play team celebrated with two young patients, Kareena, 3, and Duygu, 8, who both rang the bell to mark the end of their cancer treatment.
Kareena was diagnosed with Wilms tumour, a type of kidney cancer, in October 2018, and Duygu was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer, in May 2017.
Ringing the end of treatment bell is often a special moment for patients and their families, so well done to everyone involved in making it a day to remember for both Kareena and Duygu.
Naomi Oldreive, Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “Ringing the bell is a momentous occasion for children and young patients. As well as being a chance to celebrate finishing their treatment, it’s an opportunity to recognise how far they’ve come.
“It’s also nice for other families to witness, as it gives them hope that one day their child will also ring the bell. The bell is a symbol of hope and shows there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Justine Louise Makin, Lead Health Play Specialist, said: “As health play specialists, our role is to help young patients cope with hospital admissions and understand any procedures they might be having through specialised play.
“Helping patients to celebrate the end of their treatment is part of this, and one of the many things we do to help them feel proud of all that they have experienced and to recognise all that they have been through.”
