Girl donates bell to mark the end of her chemotherapy
A five-year-old girl has celebrated completing her 63rd and final chemotherapy session by giving the ward where she received her care a bell for other patients to ring.
Dottie Rees, from Grays, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in September 2020 and has now completed her care after 83 weeks.
The bell will be placed on Wagtail Ward at Basildon Hospital, where Dottie received her treatment, and will be rung by patients when they complete their care.
She said: “The staff were all so nice to me and caring, so I wanted to do something in memory of them as a big thank you.”
And it wasn’t only Dottie who nurses cared for. Dottie’s mum Louise Patterson Rees said: “I want to thank every single member of staff. The care they gave Dottie was amazing, but the care they gave us as parents was faultless. They made us teas and always chatted to us to make sure we were looking after ourselves as well.”
Michelle Bannister, interim matron, said: “We are very grateful for this gift. It means other families who reach the end of their treatment can now celebrate as well.”