While most people are busy getting involved in annual traditions, buying gifts, attending school shows and arranging social get-togethers, the reality of Christmas for a family with a seriously ill child is a stark contrast.

Family Support Workers at Momentum will be available for families who have a child with cancer or another life-challenging condition in hospital and at home this Christmas, ensuring that no one has to cope alone at this time of year.

Allena Tomkins’ youngest child, Priscilla-Rose (Priddi), 4, was diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML) last year after 14 months of misdiagnosis. Priscilla-Rose spent last Christmas in the Royal Marsden Hospital, London. Allena from Tadley, Hampshire, said:

“When we received Priddi’s diagnosis, I knew it was going to be something bad, although I felt relieved after months of not knowing what was wrong. The only cure for JMML is a bone marrow transplant, and thankfully two of my children were a match for Priddi. My eldest child, Jessi-Mae, was determined she would be the one to have the transplant, so this went ahead last December, and we spent Christmas and New Year in hospital.

Prior to the transplant, Priddi had intensive invasive chemotherapy conditioning to clear out her own bone marrow. It hasn’t been a straightforward journey– Priddi has had allergic reactions to medication, and everything has taken a lot longer because of the rarity of her cancer. In January, Priddi went into remission, but we were still administering medication until last month to prevent sickness, vitals and infections due to her low immune system.”

Talking about Momentum Children’s Charity, Priscilla-Rose’s mum, Allena said: “We found out about Momentum when Priddi was having treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital. Sam, one of their Family Support Workers, came up to us, in her warm and welcoming way, and checked how we were doing. Sam has really helped us, particularly me, to open up and talk about things. We would see Sam in the hospital every week, she is a rare diamond and someone I will never forget, even when this nightmare is over for us – we have a lot to thank Momentum for.”

Bianca Effemey OBE, Founder and CEO at Momentum Children’s Charity said: “We are delighted that Priscilla-Rose has completed her treatment and is doing well.  While many other services close for the festive period, those provided by Momentum remain available and because of this, we were able to be there for Priscilla-Rose’s family when they were in hospital over Christmas last year.

“The need for our support is growing and we must make sure we can be there for every family that needs us. As a charity, we receive no statutory income and rely entirely on voluntary donations. Christmas is just weeks away and we are encouraging anyone who is able to make a donation to Momentum, to do it, without delay.  Funds raised this December will not only bring hope during the festive season but will provide ongoing assistance to families throughout the year.”

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across London, Surrey, and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. The charity partners with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through our family support workers, both in hospital and at home.

Help Momentum Children’s Charity change a child’s life this Christmas by making a donation on their website www.momentumcharity.org

Notes to Editors:

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition. We partner with local hospitals to offer personally tailored support to the entire family through our family support workers, both in hospital and at home. Our services include counselling, creative therapies, special experiences, and respite breaks. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, we offer specialist bereavement support. The charity receives no government funding and is reliant entirely on voluntary support. 

Founded in 2004, Momentum Children’s Charity was started when Bianca Effemey OBE was working as a receptionist on the Paediatrics Ward at Kingston Hospital. Side effects of chemotherapy treatment can be very painful and she became aware of the impact they were having on young cancer patients. It became her mission to get white goods donated to the hospital which could be kept full of refreshments, providing some relief to children suffering with mouth ulcers caused by chemotherapy. Momentum has grown from a very small charity to now supporting around 300 children undergoing treatment and 140 bereaved families every year.

If you are interested in learning more about the work Momentum does, seeing the roles they are currently recruiting for or would like to get involved by attending an event, volunteering or making a donation please visit www.momentumcharity.org

www.momentumcharity.org Registered charity number: 1195373

For more information about Momentum and future press opportunities, please contact:  Claire Smith, PR and Communications Officer: clairesmith@momentumcharity.org  /  0208 974 5931