Astronaut Major Tim Peake visits Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital
A six-year-old cancer patient who shared tales of solitude with astronaut Major Tim Peake when she was having treatment in isolation at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has met her hero in person.When Major Peake was on board the International Space Station earlier in 2016, he made a special video call to patients being treated at GOSH, including Maddison Webb.
During the call, Major Peake and Maddison, who was being treated in isolation following a bone marrow transplant to treat acute lymphocyte leukaemia, discussed being separated from their families and restricted diets during the exchange in May.
And now the pair have met face to face after Major Peake's return to Earth and Maddison being well enough to leave the isolation ward after spending 53 days in solitude. Such an isolation bay is something iCandy are funding at the hospital for children like Maddison.
Maddison, from Basildon in Essex, said: "I really liked speaking to Tim when he was living up in space, but it was so much fun to meet him in real life. I asked him what it was like to float in space and whether he missed it."
Major Peake said: "It was fantastic to meet some of the patients, families and staff at GOSH today, after hearing all about their experiences when I called down from space earlier this year.”
"In particular, meeting Maddison in person, now that she is out of the isolation wing and back with her family, was incredible and testament to the excellent care that she receives at the hospital.”
"I was fascinated to discover more on my visit about how the hospital is pushing the boundaries and making new discoveries every day that transforms the way these brave children are being cared for."
Professor David Goldblatt, director of clinical research and development at GOSH, said: "It was a real honour to meet with Tim Peake today and show him Great Ormond Street Hospital's pioneering research in action, where innovative discoveries made in our labs are translated into vital new treatments for children with rare and complex diseases.”
"Many of the children treated at GOSH, including some of those that Tim met, have rare or complex conditions which are difficult to diagnose and treat, so the hospital's pioneering research gives hope to children and their families from across the UK.”
iCandy are aiming to raise £100,000 for the construction of an enclosed isolation recovery bay and through employee fundraising and company donations, have already raised over £49,000 towards that target. Visit iCandy’s Just Giving page today to keep up with their latest fundraising endeavours.