Young patient helps design new medal for children who have received a bone marrow transplant

Young patient helps design new medal for children who have received a bone marrow transplant

25 November 2024

Young patients were invited to enter a competition to share the words they would like to see on the back of the medal, which 12-year-old Heidi won.

At her bell-ringing ceremony to signify the end of her bone marrow treatment she was awarded the medal, surrounded by her family and the nurses and doctors who treated her.

Heidi said: “It makes me feel very, very happy and special because I’m hoping my words will be able to motivate other kids.”

Heidi spent over three months as an in-patient at St Mary’s Hospital, but following her bone marrow transplant, she is now back at school and able to enjoy life again without fear of infection.

Her mother, Georgie, said: “Before, we were having blood transfusions every four weeks, and we don’t have that anymore, she’s got a wonderful new immune system.

“Now, Heidi’s living her very best life. She’s back at school, doing film club and drama club, and she’s so well.

“At the moment, each day feels like a bit of a celebration. We feel very lucky and very grateful for all the love and support we’ve had from the staff at St Mary’s. They all work incredibly hard.”

Reflecting on the journey they have been on, Heidi’s family shared these words of encouragement for other families going through a similar experience: “It’s tough, but trust in the doctors and remember it won’t always be this version of hard.

“In the hard times take it an hour at a time, a day at a time and live in the present. Through this experience, we’ve really learned the power of gratitude, and to be grateful for the little things.”

The medals show an engraving of St Mary’s Hospital on the front, with Heidi’s message on the back which reads: “In recognition of your patience, strength, courage and hope shown during the Bone Marrow Transplant Journey.”