"Sometimes, real superheroes live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles".

In life, we’re constantly faced with a barrage of events, people, and other outside influences that define the paths we take. Some of these moments are expected; while others are not.
Each event shapes what is to come in some small way, but occasionally, a moment has the magnitude to be life changing. This kind of moment can change who we are and what we value, with reverberations throughout our careers and personal lives.
Our event came on 21st November 2014 when we took our son Joseph to the GP with a reoccurring ear infection and some pin prick spots on his legs. Within 5 minutes following consultation he was in the back of an ambulance with my wife, Claire, on the way to Queen Alexandra Hospital whilst I followed in the car behind. Following a blood test I went to pick our other 2 children, Madeline (then 8) and Hayden (then 5) up from school whilst Claire waited with Joseph for the results of the test. Making my way back to the hospital I received a phone call from the nurse asking me to come back to the hospital. On arrival I left the children with a nurse while I was directed to another room. I will never forget the look on Claire’s face as I entered, the sorrow and grief that a human face can portray should never be underestimated. Not fully appreciating the impact this next 2 minutes would have on my life I took my place on a seat to Claire’s right. I remember it feeling like an out of body experience. For a moment I was standing in the corner of the room watching this couple have their whole world ripped from underneath them. It’s very difficult to describe in words your reaction, the feelings you have; anger, grief, fear all combined in a storm inside your gut. The doctor’s words “Joseph has Leukaemia” reverberate around your whole being as you prepare to make devastating phone calls to your mum and dad. Walking back into the cubicle all the children were playing with some toys unaware of the threat to Joe’s life.
Naturally in the aftermath of emotion there were millions of questions that we needed answers to. What happens next? What is the treatment? What is the prognosis? How do we tell our other 2 children?
24hrs later Joe was transferred to Southampton General Hospital and more specifically Piam Brown Ward, the specialist child oncology ward.
Piam Brown ward is the regional children's cancer ward for Wessex, based on the top floor of Southampton Children's Hospital. Children come from as far afield as Brighton, Chichester, Portsmouth, Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Dorchester, Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Poole, Southampton, Eastleigh and Fareham.
They cater for children from only one day to 16 years old, so demand on resources is huge. Per year, the unit sees approximately 100 new families. They treat all types of cancer, with Leukaemia being the most common, accounting for approximately one third of new patients each year.
The “team” is multidisciplinary, led by four consultants and supported by differing grades of nurses and trainee doctors. Other people you will see on the ward include social workers, physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists, research and data staff, support and play staff.
Fundraising for Piam Brown Ward (part of Southampton Hospital Charity) provides those ‘extras’ that the NHS doesn’t. The pull-out beds so exhausted parents can have a decent night’s sleep and be close to their child; computer games, DVDs, books and games for the children and young people; snacks to tempt them when they feel sick; pleasant décor; quiet rooms; kitchen facilities so parents can cook for themselves and their child; trips and outings with family members; and much more to help make this sad place happy.
100% of the money raised for Piam Brown ward is spent to further support all our patients and their families.