"George is our inspiration"

George was the most curious, loving and funny three year old. He had language beyond his years and communicated beautifully with everyone he met. His confidence shone through his beautiful smile and it didn’t take long to fall in love with him and enjoy his company.

George faced his cancer diagnosis as he did most things. He looked for mummy and daddy for guidance - “Are you happy mummy?” - read our faces and as long as we were okay, he was okay.

With many long days in hospital, very often isolated to his room, we had to support our adventure seeking, curious boy to continue to flourish and grow. He was eager to learn, play and seek connection from those around him. The health care assistants and nurses became his friends, he felt safe and trusted the oncology doctors and would wait with excitement to see the play team or the cook on the Oncology ward.

Hearing that George’s treatment options had run out, as the tumour had returned and developed, despite relapse treatment, was heart breaking. I can’t describe the pain we have carried since that day. But through this pain we knew we had memories to make, a summer of all summers to create, and to find a way to ensure George was never scared.

The month before George passed he was able to start primary school. He thrust his fist in the air in the usual milestone photo on the doorstep. He knew this was a big deal and I believe he understood what it had taken to get him there. This is what end of life and cancer can look like away from a clinical setting. Pain relief administered and adventure around the next corner, whilst he had the energy. A child full of smiles, excitement for the friends he would make, the storybooks he’d hear and the questions he would get to ask. He managed 10 hours in total and those hours brought him so much joy.

In this same month we decided to open a special named fund, raising money for research into rhabdomyosarcoma, the soft tissue tumour that George was diagnosed with. We planned the logo and the name of the fund to ensure it would reflect our son and become a legacy that he would be proud of. We named it ‘Just George’ as in true matter-of-fact George style, he told anyone who called him brave, strong or courageous that he was “Just George”, usually with a sigh.

Saying goodnight to George as he took his last breath is beyond words, but what I can share is that we felt some relief that the aggressive, fast growing and invasive cancer, that took over his little body, had finally stopped hurting him.

Since George’s passing, I have used my parent voice to support the Cambridge Children’s Hospital project. Seeing hospital life through George’s eyes, I am able to review plans for care, service and the physical building.

I am proud to share that George was involved in some patient feedback for the project, despite only being 4. He was too unwell to attend the face to face opportunities for children and young people but was given a chance to share his thoughts about hospital life and what hospital school should be like. His kindness and empathy shone through as he told the character Buddy, who was worried about going to hospital, “It’s ok, Buddy.”

• Find out about opportunities to get involved in the Cambridge Children's Hospital project