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From hospital bed to hope: 11-year old Ivy from Cumbria launches 2025 Fill a Kit appeal for Cancer Support UK
This Christmas, Cancer Support UK is proud to launch its 2025 Fill a Kit appeal, inviting the public to help send special Kid’s Cancer Kits to children undergoing cancer treatment. The campaign is fronted by the courageous story of Ivy, an 11-year-old girl from Cumbria, living with a brain tumour, whose journey illustrates both the challenges children face and the hope a simple gesture can bring.
Ivy received one of our Kits at a time when she needed comforting most and it made a big difference to this brave girl.
Ivy’s story highlights how even amid gruelling treatment, a specially designed Kids’ Cancer Kit can bring comfort, warmth and emotional support. These kits are given free to children in hospital and include items such as toys, socks, a heatable sensory Warmies® cuddly ted and other items to help support a child while they are in hospital - small things that can make a big difference during difficult days.
Why Fill a Kit matters
Each year in the UK, approximately 1,900 children (aged 0–14) are diagnosed with cancer.
Advances in treatment mean survival has improved dramatically: about 85% of children now survive for five years or more after diagnosis.
Yet even after remission, many young survivors face long-term physical, emotional and social challenges.
Cancer Support UK’s Fill a Kit appeal aims to bring practical and emotional support to children through hospital care periods and beyond, particularly during the additional emotional weight of the holiday season.
A message from Mark Guymer, CEO, Cancer Support UK
“Children with cancer face fear, pain and disruption at a time when they should be playing, learning and being children,” says Mark Guymer, CEO of Cancer Support UK. “We believe they deserve moments of lightness, comfort and joy and that’s what our Kid’s Kits offer. Ivy’s bravery inspires us and with your support we can reach more children and families this Christmas.
“Thanks to public generosity, last year we delivered over a thousand Kids’ Kits. But demand remains high. Each donation - whether to send a whole kit or to contribute items - helps alleviate the emotional burden for a child in treatment and their family. We invite everyone to join the campaign, share Ivy’s story, and help us fill as many kits as possible.”
Ivy’s story
In 2024, when she was 10 years old, Ivy (now 11 years old) learnt that the cause of her severe headaches and sickness wasn’t a sick bug, but an optic glioma brain tumour. This devastating diagnosis changed both her life and that of her family in an instant.
Doctors told Ivy’s mum Cherry and dad Stuart that the tumour was causing a dangerous build-up of fluid, called hydrocephalus, and that she need urgent treatment.
Within weeks she was fitted with a portacath and a VP shunt to drain the fluid from her brain. In September 2024 Ivy began a 70-week course of chemotherapy to try to stabilise the tumour.
For Ivy’s family, the shocking diagnosis of their daughter was scary and confusing, as she had appeared well and enjoying a busy, normal life.
“We were terrified that we were about to lose our daughter,” recalls Cherry. “But Ivy has been incredibly brave throughout, and feeling supported by others really helps her (and us) to stay positive.”
The ongoing Chemo treatment makes Ivy feel sick and leaves her utterly fatigued for several days afterwards. At a point when Ivy felt particularly down, a Kids’ Cancer Kit from Cancer Support UK arrived, bringing hope, comfort and joy.
“The Kit was such a welcome pick-you-up, especially the Warmies® sensory dog, which Ivy calls Hazel. It’s a great favourite and accompanies her to hospital every week. It provides enormous comfort during chemo sessions.”
“Every moment of joy given to Ivy means a great deal. Thank you so much from Ivy and myself to everyone who donated towards the Kit,” says Cherry.
“Ivy is grateful for all the help she has received and loves fundraising to help bring happiness to children in hospital like her. It helps give her – and us – a focus. It’s why we are proudly supporting Cancer Support UK’s Fill A Kit appeal, which aims to send more Kid’s Kits to children in need of comfort and joy.”
This Christmas, you can bring joy to a child, like Ivy. Your gift will help us send Kids’ Cancer Kits to children spending the festive season in hospital. Please donate today and fill a kit with comfort, hope, and care.