Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity

“The best bit of my job is watching a young person find their voice through music” Katya, Music Therapist at Great Ormond Street Hospital. This World Music Therapy Day, we’re celebrating the power of music at GOSH. ?? Music therapy helps patients like Josh express themselves through singing, improvising, sensory play, music tech, songwriting, and more. “Katya taught Josh his first cords, as well as how to play the ukulele and the guitar. He’s carried on learning and wants to become a music therapist now too.” Kristel, Josh’s mum. Watch Josh and Katya jam together. ??

Did you know that there are 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease? Today is Rare Disease Day which aims to raise international awareness and generate change for those living with a rare disease, their families and carers. Many children who pass through the doors of Great Ormond Street Hospital have rare or complex conditions. In fact, the hospital sees some of the largest groups of patients with rare diseases anywhere in the world. At Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, we're proud to drive change for these children, through funding patient-centred spaces, cutting-edge medical equipment, patient and family support services, and research into rare or complex conditions. We are the UK’s largest charitable funder of medical research dedicated to paediatrics, and we have a huge responsibility to accelerate rare disease research for children. Through research we hope that at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Charity, we can help give more seriously ill children the chance of a better future - one where they’re not restricted or defined by their condition. [Image descriptions: 1 An infographic that shows a cartoon of a bear, crab and duck conducting research. Text reads "6,000 plus identified rare diseases". 2 An infographic that shows a bear, fox and small bird wearing medical equipment. Text reads "7 in 10 rare conditions affect children". 3 An infographic displaying a map of the United Kingdom. Text reads "Over three and a half million people in the UK are living with a rare condition". 4 An infographic that features a cartoon drawing of a clipboard. Text reads "95% of rare diseases lack an effective treatment".]

?? A global study, part-funded by Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity,? has proven the power of a simple genomics blood test to improve treatment and care for childhood epilepsy.

“Even though it's a hospital setting, we try as much as we can to make sure children can celebrate as they would be doing outside the hospital.” Romana, Senior Chaplain at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Meet Romana. She first joined GOSH almost sixteen years ago as a volunteer and now plays a significant role in providing compassionate care for patients and families with diverse religious beliefs, particularly Muslim patients and their families. This week marks the beginning of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims worldwide. Romana, and the rest of the GOSH Chaplaincy team, work together every year to make the month of Ramadan as special as possible for patients and families. The team makes sure families have access to meal vouchers and dates to break their fasts and the Muslim prayer room will also be open throughout the month. Please join us in wishing a Ramadan Mubarak to all our staff, patients, and families ?? [Image descriptions: 1 Romana holding a Ramadan and Eid activity booklet 2 A Ramadan and Eid activity booklet on top of some prayer mats 3 Ramadan colouring booklets]

Bernard’s got some exciting news about the new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Today, deconstruction of the Frontage Building and parts of the Paul O’Gorman Building began, an important milestone in the project as we look to replace them with a world-leading cancer centre at GOSH. The new Children's Cancer Centre will allow children to access play and education alongside pioneering treatments, and give families a place to stay together through some of the hardest moments. We’re sure Bernard will be back soon with more exciting updates, and in the meantime don't forget to support our Build it. Beat it. campaign and help us beat childhood cancer. [Image description: Bernard Bear wearing a hi-vis vest and helmet, waving in front of the Children's Cancer Centre sign. It says "if you can help build it, you can help beat it. BUILD IT. BEAT IT."]

Do you know why today’s so special? It’s not just Valentine’s Day, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust is celebrating its 173rd birthday too! ???? A special thank you to our friends at Russell Square Underground Station who helped us wish them a very happy birthday. We couldn't find a cake big enough for 173 candles at such short notice, but please join us in celebrating the work of this incredible hospital. ?? [Image description: A whiteboard in Russell Square Station says "Happy Birthday GOSH" in big letters, with some hearts and the GOSH logo. There are two station staff members and two GOSH Charity staff members posing and smiling with it]

Valentine’s Day is extra special for Radhika and her family. It’s the day Radhika was born and it’s also the birthday of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Radhika's family knew she’d be treated at GOSH before she was born. She has been cared for by many specialist teams at the hospital and will continue to have regular appointments. Radhika’s currently doing well and remains a happy, bubbly child who loves learning. This year marks Radhika’s 5th birthday which is a big milestone for her family and a day they look forward to celebrating together. Please join us in wishing Radhika and GOSH a very happy birthday. [Image descriptions: 1 Baby Radhika in her hospital cot, with a big cheesy smile 2 Radhika sitting cross-legged on a chair, smiling 3 Radhika as a toddler flicking through a book]

“The teams at GOSH quite simply are angels on earth”, Riley’s mum, Zoe. This International Epilepsy Day, we’re sharing Riley’s story. Shortly after his second birthday, he began having seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy. At one point, Riley was experiencing over 100 seizures a day, and at age nine he was transferred over to Great Ormond Street Hospital for brain surgery. During his recovery, Riley needed plenty of rest and Zoe said it was a massive challenge to keep him from playing football and cricket which “are his life”. But, they managed it, and we’re pleased to say that he has been seizure-free since the night before his operation! “GOSH has given Riley the ability to live a seizure free life! Which is the greatest gift ever and something as a family we will be forever grateful for." Riley still visits GOSH for check ups, with his final one booked in for later this year. He still loves sport, and even plays football and cricket at high standards with his local clubs! [Image descriptions: 1 Riley sleeping in his hospital bed after brain surgery 2 Riley and his brother at a football game 3 Riley standing in front of a cricket club sign 4 A family photo with Riley's parents and brother]

“The staff at GOSH are the most amazing people. They saved our lives, as well as Emmie’s. I will be forever indebted to them.” Lindsay, Emmie’s mum. At just 14 weeks old, Emmie was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where she began chemotherapy, spending her first Christmas in hospital. In May 2021, Emmie rang the end of treatment bell the day after she turned two, surrounded by the nurses and teams who cared for her. She had dreamed of this day and celebrated by ringing the bell over 50 times, cheering and dancing each time. Last year, Emmie’s family took on the Walkie Talkie Tower Climb for GOSH Charity, climbing all 896 steps of the iconic Fenchurch Street skyscraper. “I took on the Tower Climb to give back to the incredible hospital that continues to care for Emmie. It’s my way of saying thank you and supporting other families on their journey." Are you feeling inspired? Sign up to the Walkie Talkie Tower Climb or one of our other challenge events through the link in our bio. [Image descriptions: 1 Emmie ringing the end of treatment bell outside, with her family 2 Emmie with her mum and brother at the Walkie Talkie Tower Climb challenge]

“GOSH gave us hope”, Seyrah, Gabriel’s mum. This World Cancer Day, we’re sharing Gabriel and Seyrah’s story. ?? When Gabriel was just eight years old he was diagnosed with stage four cancer after doctors found a tumour near his heart. He was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital and placed on life support for six days before starting chemotherapy. For the next six months, he visited GOSH every day for treatment while his mum learnt how to administer some of his medications at home. Being in and out of hospital wasn’t wasn’t easy, especially as Seyrah is a single parent, but she says that “if there isn’t a place like GOSH, Gabriel would not be here”. Gabriel’s treatment lasted three years, but now, almost three years on from ringing the end of treatment bell, Gabriel is happy and healthy! Seyrah says he even misses going to the hospital to see the doctors and nurses. In the future, he’s got big dreams to become an Olympic swimmer, while his mum hopes that he simply becomes a “good person who looks out for people” Join us in congratulating Gabriel on three years since the end of his treatment. [Image descriptions: 1 Gabriel in Seyrah's lap, in the hospital 2 Gabriel roller-skating in the park 3 Gabriel smiling in another park]