Bonnie, aged six, rings the bell to mark the end of her cancer treatment

Bonnie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of four. Since then she’s been receiving chemotherapy treatment on Tiger Ward (our children’s cancer unit) and at The Royal Marsden Hospital.  

End of Treatment Bells, a charity that helps young people celebrate milestones in their cancer journey, by ringing a bell, has donated an additional mobile bell to Tiger Ward which can be taken outdoors. This enables our patients’ family and friends to once again be part of the bell ringing ceremony. This used to take place on Tiger Ward, but indoor celebrations have been paused to due to Covid-19 visiting restrictions.  

On 8 July, Bonnie arrived at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in style by limousine and was greeted with cheers and applause by her family and the Tiger Ward staff who had treated her.    

Bonnie’s mum Louise explained: “Thank you to everyone on Tiger Ward for your kindness, compassion and wonderful care you provided for Bonnie. You all became like family to us, and we will always hold a special place in our hearts for you. We are forever grateful and will never forget the love and support you gave us.”

Bonnie's special moment ringing the end-of-treatment bell. 

Emily Walton, Interim Lead Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist said: “We were so thrilled to be able to celebrate with Bonnie and her family and that she could have this special moment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bonnie has shown such courage, strength and kindness throughout her treatment, and we are so proud that she has rung the bell.”    

“Thank you to the End of Treatment Bell Charity for supplying us with an additional bell. On Tiger Ward the end of treatment is always such a remarkable achievement, and we think it is important to recognise the journey that both the child and young person and their family have been on.”  

To find out more about the charity please visit End of Treatment Bell website.