When facing cancer, art became Poppy’s escape

During her long hospital stays, Poppy would paint.

She would ask the Play Specialists for ceramics, paints and art materials - anything she could use to create.

“She said that painting is something that you can do anywhere, even in a hospital room.” - Poppy’s mum.

Because when gruelling treatment took over her childhood, art gave Poppy somewhere else to go.

“It took her out of the ward and into her imagination.”

Painting allowed Poppy to hold onto who she was beyond being a patient. She began to dream about what might be possible outside the hospital wards, never imagining her art would one day hang on gallery walls. But then she made a wish.

Give more children like Poppy hope beyond hospital

Up until the age of three, Poppy was a healthy and active child.

But during a nursery field trip, Poppy couldn’t walk, and her parents knew something wasn’t right.

When her condition didn’t improve, dad Graham, a nurse, knew they needed to take her to an out of hours clinic.

What they thought would be a routine visit quickly became something much more serious. After leaving home that day, they wouldn’t return for another three weeks.

Further tests confirmed the devastating news that Poppy had leukaemia.

“It became our whole life. Everything we did centred around hospital appointments and unexpected temperatures.”

Family routines suddenly revolved around treatment, uncertainty and the emotional strain of watching little Poppy endure critical illness.

“Time together became even more important and where possible, we tried to keep Poppy and her sister together so they wouldn’t grow up separated from each other. So many of our memories are of the girls painting and creating together in hospital."

As Poppy tried to process her early years spent in hospital, art gave her a calm space to create and express herself.

As treatment finally began to come to an end, choosing her wish gave Poppy something positive to focus on beyond hospital, while gently helping her process everything she had been through.

“The wish discovery was amazing! It was such a child-centred process right from the beginning. The volunteers drew something out of Poppy that you wouldn’t even think is possible to do.”

Poppy wished to create her very own art exhibition and share her work with family, friends and the people who had stood beside her throughout treatment.

Through her wish, Poppy was able to reconnect with her creativity and confidence.

As part of her journey, and with support from the incredible Art of Wishes Chair and committee, Poppy was able to meet and paint with established artists, creating pieces that would feature in her exhibition.

“Being invited into their studios was so personal. Poppy walked in and got to work immediately. They made her feel so welcome - within minutes she was pouring paint onto canvases. There was no sign of any nerves - she just saw the whole process as fun and creative. We’ve watched her confidence grow - something she lost after treatment.”

Inspired by the artists she loves, Poppy carefully curated her exhibition alongside her new artistic mentors.

What began as moments of imagination in hospital would eventually lead Poppy’s artwork to the walls of Christie’s, one of the world’s most prestigious auction houses.

The exhibition featured 28 of Poppy’s paintings, showcasing her unique and colourful style.

It became a celebration not only of Poppy’s talent and imagination, but of everything she and her family had overcome together.

For the first time in a long time, Poppy wasn’t defined by illness. She was able to express the parts of herself that had carried her through some of her hardest days, and finally share them with the world.

After years of treatment, adapting to life beyond hospital was daunting for the whole family.

Once reluctant to talk about hospital, Poppy became more able to speak about the treatment that had shaped so much of the early years of her life.

“The wish experience has been incredible for her; she’s grown in self-belief and is happy to discuss her time in hospital.”

But through her wish, Poppy started rebuilding confidence in herself again.

Now, Poppy dreams of having her own art studio one day.

For children facing critical illness, a wish can become a way to reconnect with who they are beyond treatment and trauma.

By listening closely to what matters most to each child, Make-A-Wish helps children rediscover confidence, identity and emotional wellbeing during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Reflecting on the wish, Mum and Dad told us: “She’s already grown through the process of designing her wish. She’ll be able to look back at the memories of her wish and feel really proud of how far she has come since completing her treatment.”

Because of her wish, Poppy has been able to find confidence in herself and look towards the future again.

Your support can help more children like Poppy rediscover who they are beyond illness.