Brave Sidcup blind girl, 5, celebrates the end of four years of chemo

BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk

A five-year-old who has endured four years of chemotherapy has celebrated the end of her cancer treatment by ringing a special bell.

Olivia Rose Taylor was applauded by staff on Tiger Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital to mark the day she left hospital at the end of her care there.

Olivia was diagnosed with a grade 1 optic nerve glioma (brain tumour) at only 17 months old and is now registered blind.

She’s been receiving chemotherapy treatment on Tiger Ward for the last four years.

Olivia rang the chemotherapy bell, funded by End of Treatment Bells, to cheers and applause from her family and staff.

Once Olivia’s immunity starts to rise, her family will be taking her away for the weekend to CBeebies Land, where they will stay at the CBeebies Land Hotel.

My Shining Star Children’s Cancer Charity has also gifted Olivia tickets to see Disney’s Frozen the Musical in London’s West End.

Olivia’s mum Lisa said: “Olivia is a star and our hero.

The tumour stole her vision at 18 months old, but it does not stop her doing anything and it does not define her.

She still requires regular MRI brain scans, but we just hope for stability as she grows into an adult.

“We love Tiger Ward, and we cannot thank them enough for everything that they have done for us over the last four years.

Olivia is so relaxed and happy on the ward, despite everything she’s gone through, and that is testament to the amazing staff who went out of their way to make ‘chemo day’ a good day and to create happy memories for her.

We have spent so much time with them over the years and they have become our community.”     

End of Treatment Bells is a charity that helps young people celebrate milestones in their cancer journey by ringing a bell.

My Shining Star Children’s Cancer Charity supports families through the financial hardship of childhood cancer in the UK.

To find out more about the charities please visit End of Treatment Bell website and My Shining Star Children’s Cancer Charity website