“The kids adore their ducks. It has really helped to normalise what is going on especially with the central line and the wearing of the bandana. Having a duck each is wonderful as no-one feels left out, and their questions and worries can be addressed and discussed through play. Thank you so much!” – Stefanie, mum Savannah, age 4…
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“Leo absolutely loves his Chemo Duck aka Dave. The nurses all involve Dave when taking bloods etc to help reassure Leo, play is a huge part of making Leo feel safer. A big squeeze from Dave helps reassure him. Leo loves playing doctors with Dave and re-enacting what happens in hospital and Dave loves coming to the park with us….
“Inayah looks forward to going to her hospital appointments because she is able to take Chemo Duck with her. Chemo Duck makes Inayah feel included as many toys/ teddies do not show treatment for young children” – Shazia, mum Inayah was 7 years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The Hospital Play Team introduced Inayah to…
“We’re sure you reading this will know someone close to you, who has gone through the same or is on their journey right now.” – Team Give A Duck Team Give A Duck set out to raise £1k but… they smashed this and raised a staggering £3,275 = 131 Chemo Ducks! “Recently we have come to need the help of…
We attended the 48th National Association of Health Play Specialists Annual Conference 2023 Here’s what we learnt: Chemo Duck is loved and well known by UK Health Play Specialists Chemo Duck is used every single day by Health Play Specialists in hospital Huggable Hope is loved by siblings and is a great support tool The duck outfits bring so much…
“My son received a Chemo Duck when he was treated for his brain tumour in hospital. This was 2 years ago, and his Chemo Duck has never left his side since and has been washed 25 times!” – Sonja, mum In honour of her son and in support of Duck Day 2023, Sonja organised a fabulous raffle! She asked her…
On 23 February 2023, Aashna was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and received her Chemo Duck via the Play Team at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. “Aashna got her Chemo Duck on the 5th day post her diagnosis with ALL. We are still in her induction phase and just like any other family, cancer struck us out of nowhere….
On 2 April 2023, Claire Gillman, a Play Specialist at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon! This will be Claire’s third half marathon having completed the Royal Parks half in 2016 and the London Landmarks half in 2021. She is in full training mode and is looking to also gain a…
When Bodhi was initially diagnosed with T-ALL he was given a cuddly toy with a central line attached as part of his emotional support but, unfortunately, it only served to scare him and he refused to have it in his bedroom. Chemo Duck was a whole different ball game. He immediately fell in love. Aside from the brilliant fact that…
“In September at the age of 3 Anastasia (Mimi as we call her) was diagnosed with a fast-growing form of brain cancer known as atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour (ATRT). After an emergency CT scan revealed her tumour was bleeding, causing it to expand and suffocate her brain, she underwent life-saving surgery, where more than 90% of it was removed. It…