Supporting Terminally Ill Children

My job is most difficult when a child dies, or when a family are told there is no further treatment available, but I know that the support I can give will help them to make the most of their last days, weeks or months together.

I supported a 13 year old girl, Elizabeth, who was suffering from terminal cancer. She was the same age as my daughter at the time, so it really hit home to experience what Elizabeth was going through.

Towards the end of her life, Elizabeth opened up to me about the fears she had about dying, but was most worried about leaving her mother, and how devastated she would be. She told me she would like to leave presents for all the members of her family to be remembered by, so during the last few weeks of her life we spent time shopping to collect special presents for each family member. She made a Build a-Bear for her mother with a personal, tape recorded message of her voice inside, and we spent time hand-painting pottery and making jewellery for her grandma and aunties.

My time with Elizabeth was made possible by kind donations to Rainbow Trust, without which I couldn’t provide this wonderful support to children who need it. I am grateful to everyone that has enabled me to do such a difficult but rewarding job.

Thank you for supporting our vital work with your donations.