Seven-year-old leukaemia patient becomes nurse for the day at Great Ormond Street Hospital
Seven-year-old Arabella Palmer living with leukaemia has spent the day as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) marking International Nurses Day, thanks to the charity Make-A-Wish UK.
Make-A-Wish UK grants life-changing wishes to children living with critical illness.
Born in Middlesex, Arabella was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in October 2024 and underwent seven months of intensive chemotherapy treatment. She is now in the maintenance phase of treatment, taking daily oral chemotherapy and attending regular hospital appointments and lumbar punctures every three months.
Arabella’s wish was inspired by the nurses who have cared for her throughout her treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Despite months of intensive chemotherapy and ongoing treatment, Arabella’s family said she has approached everything with remarkable bravery, particularly during procedures for her portacath access.
When asked what she would wish for most, Arabella immediately said she wanted to become a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital for the day and help care for other children just like the nurses who had cared for her.
Arabella’s mum, Maria said: “She’s been incredibly brave throughout her treatment, especially with her port access procedures, so it was really emotional hearing her say she wanted to help other children in the same way the nurses have helped her.”
Arabella said she wanted to spend the day “helping the nurses” and learning more about the work they do caring for children in hospital.
During the experience, Arabella took part in a series of hands-on activities across the hospital, including practising port access procedures with the Play and Intravenous Therapy teams, processing blood samples in the lab with Harvey’s gang, learning how chemotherapy medicines are prepared with the pharmacy team and caring for a patient in the simulation centre. GOSH Therapy dogs guided her through the day before celebrations concluded in the Lagoon restaurant where Arabella presented a celebratory cake to the Chief Nurse.
“It was lovely to experience GOSH in a different light, in the nurse's shoes instead of the patients!” Said Maria. “Arabella and her sisters were so inspired, with all three telling us they want to become a nurse, or a scientist or doctor one day! We are so proud of Arabella taking this opportunity give back to the amazing team at GOSH in her own special way, and we are truly grateful to Make-A-Wish and all the people involved, you made us feel so welcome, and you made Arabella's wish come true - thank you.”
"Arabella’s wish is a powerful reminder of the incredible impact nurses and healthcare teams have on children and families facing critical illness every single day. Throughout her treatment, Arabella has been surrounded by people who have cared for her, supported her and helped her keep smiling through unimaginably difficult moments. This International Nurses Day, it’s incredibly special to see her step into their shoes and be a nurse for the day at Great Ormond Street Hospital. We’re hugely grateful to the teams at GOSH for helping bring Arabella’s wish to life and creating such a thoughtful and memorable experience for her and her family."
“It was a privilege to help organise Arabella’s wish at GOSH and welcome the family to the hospital on international nurses day. Leukaemia treatment is delivered over 2 -3 years and has a tremendous impact on families, I hope we have been able to create some new, happier memories of the hospital, and of course inspire the next generation of Nurses!”
The wish took place on International Nurses Day, recognising the extraordinary role nurses and healthcare teams play in supporting children and families through critical illness.
