Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity

Childhood. It’s what makes us. We’re all about protecting childhoods from the impact of serious illness, which is why we’re showing up a little differently. We've made some changes to how we look and sound but we’re still the same charity that will stop at nothing to help give seriously ill children the best chance and the best childhood possible. Until no childhood is lost to serious illness.

🆕 As part of our new 5-year cancer research strategy we're committing at least £15m into childhood cancer research.   Ultimately, we want a world where no childhood is lost to cancer. Read on to find out our top four priorities to help us in this mission. 👇

“The one thing Harley asked for on his birthday was to feel better on his big day.” Rachael, Harley’s mum. 💙 Harley was just eight years old when he suddenly became unwell. Blood tests at his local hospital indicated leukaemia and he was immediately transferred to GOSH for specialist care. For the next two years he needed multiple forms of treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. The hospital quickly became a second home for Harley and his family where they spent many childhood moments including his 10th birthday. Now 13, Harley’s leukaemia is undetectable. He continues to have maintenance chemotherapy but is back at school full time and recently started Year 9. “Harley starting Year 9 has been a stark expression of how much Harley has overcome. Despite all his health challenges; each obstacle thrown at him, he has always maintained the best attitude." Rachael says. "Those that don’t know would never imagine what he has been through. I’m so happy and grateful for him to be living his life in the same way every child of his age does.”

What an incredible evening for us at the Charity Times Awards last week! Returning for their 25th year, the Charity Times Awards honour and celebrate the work of professionals and organisations across the sector and we are delighted that the hard work of so many of our colleagues was recognised. This year, we were honoured to win the award for Charity of the Year with an income of more than £10m and to see our Chair, Anne Bulford, win Charity Chair of the Year. We are also immensely proud to see our PR Team be Highly Commended in the PR Team of the Year category and in our Finance Team for being shortlisted for Finance Team of the Year. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees from across the sector for all your hard work this year 🏆

Last week, we were delighted to welcome double Olympic medallist Noah Williams to Great Ormond Street Hospital. A star of the diving pool at this summer’s Olympics, Noah met patients and families on Panther ward and joined us at our Children’s Cancer Centre Showcase too. Later this month, Noah will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for our work alongside fellow diver Jack Laugher, so we’re wishing them both the best of luck. Thanks so much for visiting, Noah 💙

“It was scary when they confirmed it. I hadn’t read anything about leukaemia before that. It seemed to me the end of the world.” Alpana, Aashna’s mum.  Aashna was diagnosed with a rare form of blood and bone marrow cancer at just six years old. She was transferred to GOSH and began an intense month-long course of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, Aashna experienced tough side effects which delayed her treatment. This meant she spent her 7th birthday in hospital and missed out on a lot of school during treatment. Since then, she has slowly built her strength back up and increased her days in class. Aashna was even elected to the school council and secured ‘above age expectation levels’ in all her tests last year, which she was very proud of. Aashna still needs to be on maintenance chemotherapy and missed her first week of Year 4 due to an infection. Thanks to her local hospital and their at-home nursing team Aashna has been able to return to school gradually and hopes to be back full time soon. “It is a blessing that Aashna's school and staff are very caring, supportive and proactive about her safety.” Alpana said. “Attending school during treatment helps Aashna feel connected to her friends, keeps her on track academically, and has significantly improved her physical abilities.”

“RBC Race for the Kids is our chance to show how much we appreciate everything GOSH Charity does to support families like ours.” Mariko, Joshua’s mum. This month, Joshua and his family will be taking part in their second RBC Race for the Kids. At just three years old, Joshua was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that grew on his eyelid. He was treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital, visiting every three weeks for three different types of chemotherapy. In February 2023, Joshua rang the end of treatment bell, and we’re pleased to share that he’s doing really well. We can’t wait to welcome Joshua and his family back to London’s Hyde Park on 12 October! You too can join us by walking, jogging, wheeling or scooting in a 2K or 5K to help build a new world-leading Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH.

“We used to dream about these moments when we were living at GOSH and thought it would never happen, but it has.” Jodie, Amelia’s mum. 💙 In 2022, Amelia was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital with heart failure and placed on the transplant list. The hospital became her home where she celebrated milestones like birthdays and Christmas. After nearly two years in the hospital, we’re pleased to share that Amelia has received her transplant and is back home with her family. “Life post-transplant is amazing, we love being at home as a family of four and going on day trips. It’s like a dream come true and we never thought this moment would ever come.” Since leaving GOSH, Amelia has been to the park, zoo, and her friend’s birthday party. The family have even booked their first holiday together and they couldn’t be more excited.

At just nine years old, Minnie fell ill and developed a lump on her neck. Initially thought to be a cyst, Minnie’s health continued to deteriorate and she was blue-lighted to Great Ormond Street Hospital where doctors confirmed she had stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Minnie urgently began chemotherapy and would spend Christmas, New Year's and her birthday in hospital. School was always an important part of Minnie’s life but treatment meant she missed almost a year of her primary school, but Teachers at GOSH School supported Minnie in developing her passion for learning and continuing her education. “GOSH School helped Minnie to have some structure and motivation throughout treatment as she knew she had to try to be up and ready for her teacher’s arrival.” Olivia, Minnie’s mum. We’re so happy to share Minnie has finished treatment and recently started Year 8. She continues to love school and now dreams of becoming a medical consultant inspired by the nurses who cared for her.

Did you know author JM Barrie gifted the rights of Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1929? Ever since, the enchanting story has helped seriously ill children who need the hospital. Last month, Olivia, who has been under Great Ormond Street Hospital’s care since being diagnosed with Williams Syndrome at the age of three, had the opportunity to strike the first of a new set of Peter Pan coins. Olivia struck the first of the original set of Peter Pan coins released by The Westminster Collection and Tower Mint Ltd five years ago, and was invited back for a very special moment. “I was filled with pride seeing Olivia strike the first Peter Pan coin. It was a great moment to experience together as a family and to be a part of something that will raise funds to support other children at Great Ormond Street Hospital.” Elliot, Olivia’s dad.