14-year-old cancer patient rings end of treatment bell at summer celebration

A 14-year-old cancer patient rang a bell at her cancer wards special summer celebration to mark the end of her treatment.

Tiger Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Stadium Road, Woolwich, hosted a summer party on August 11, at the nearby Meridian Club sports field in Charlton Park Lane for patients and their families.

Linda Lou Lee from Swanley, has been receiving chemotherapy for bone cancer at the Tiger Ward since September 2022. At the summer party, she rang the bell to mark the end of her treatment.

Linda Lou Lee rings her end of treatment bell at the summer party (Video: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust)

Jeannie Lee, Linda’s mum, said: “It was a special moment for Linda Lou and our family to see her ring the end-of-treatment bell after a difficult time.

“What a day to do it, and it was amazing to see her enjoying herself in the sunshine.

“We are so grateful to the Tiger Ward Team, especially Sam and Cat for what they have done for us, we cannot thank them enough.” 

The 30 patients who came to the celebration were met with four bouncy castles, an ice cream van, games, and music for them to enjoy.

Olivia Rose Taylor, seven, and her father Matt Taylor, both from Sidcup, attended the party. Olivia was diagnosed with a brain tumour at only 17 months old and is now registered blind.

Mr Taylor said: “What a brilliant summer party, providing the children with a much-needed distraction. The Tiger Ward team constantly goes above and beyond for Olivia, always making her feel safe and creating happy memories for her.”

Olivia has been receiving chemotherapy treatment on the Tiger Ward for the last five years.

Cat Wilde, lead Macmillan paediatric oncology clinical nurse specialist, said: “This was our first Tiger Ward summer party, and what a great event.

“Every one of our patients on Tiger Ward, along with their families, are very dear to us. They are all members of the Tiger Ward family, and we get to know them very well.

“It is important to us to have events like these as it helps our patients and their families to have some normality and participate in activities that other children will be doing, especially over the summer holidays when it is vital for families to make memories together.

“All of this would not be possible without the support of our sponsors; a special thanks to Elliott’s Bouncy Castle Hire, who donated four bouncy castles, Meridian Sports Club for letting us use the venue free of charge and also providing the food and drink at a discounted price and The Chartwell Cancer Trust, who paid for all the food and drink.”

Pictured top: From left, Olivia Rose Taylor and her father Matt Taylor, Linda Lou Lee with Tiger Ward staff  (Picture: Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust)