“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…
play matters
“My children love their ducks and their outfits so thank you so much! Aydin is very proud of showing all his friends and family his duck and the port it has (just like his own!)” – Khadija, mum Aydin, age 7, was diagnosed with leukaemia in July 2023. The Give A Duck Foundation sent Aydin a Chemo Duck to…
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…
“Mollie hates her trips to day clinic (we’re 5 weeks in since her diagnosis) and normally cries or shouts no matter how long we are there for. Our last visit started off the same, however when she was given her Chemo Duck and the port, cuff and syringes were explained to her and she could have a play she cheered…
On 11 November 2022, Molly age 22 months was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. “This is just so amazing. Molly loves her Chemo Duck who she has called Pluto! Molly gets Pluto dressed every morning and gives him his medication via his port, while I get Molly dressed and give her medication via her NG tube. Chemo Duck has helped…
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….
The Newcastle Hospitals Charity have awarded The Give A Duck Foundation a £4,500 of grant funding, via the Great North Children’s Hospital Foundation, for 120 Chemo Ducks and 60 Huggable Hopes for patients on the oncology ward at the Great North Children’s Hospital, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. T-H-A-N-K-Y-O-U! Jon Goodwin, Head of Grant Programmes at Newcastle…
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…
On Wednesday 25 January, Eve and Elaine attended the Newcastle Hospitals Charity first Charity Forum at Newcastle United. The forum was engaging and informative and provided a great opportunity to network with other charities. There is something special about in person meetings and Eve and Elaine loved introducing Chemo Duck and Huggable Hope to the forum attendees – they are…
“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…