A heartwarming moment of pure joy was shared this week at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow’s Schiehallion Unit, as both a teen patient and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner received individual accolades from the Children’s Health Scotland Awards 2024.
Meet Georgie Hyslop (16), winner of the Young Achiever Award. Georgia is a brave patient at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, who was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in December 2023. Just 20 days after her diagnosis, Georgie decided she wanted to give back to those who were helping her and other kids in similar situations. With unwavering determination, she began fundraising immediately.
Georgie planned to shave her head to raise donations, with the help of her supportive mum, Lynn. They set up the fundraising and set the date, but as her hair began falling out quicker than expected due to treatment, Georgie was worried she might have to pull the date forward. Lynn, ever the quick thinker, suggested they do it right away. On Hogmanay 2023, Georgie and her parents welcomed the new year with a group head shave, raising thousands of pounds. Their inspiring act led to a local barber event where others joined in to shave their heads and donate.
This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey of fundraising events and activities, with Georgie raising just under £30,000 for three charities in less than a year. She supported the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust, and Marion’s House – all of which played a crucial role in her treatment.
In August 2024, Georgie received the incredible news that her scans showed no evidence of cancer, and she will now have three-monthly scans to monitor her progress. Lynn expressed her joy at Georgie receiving the award, saying, “We told Georgie that she had a long road ahead of her and that to get through her treatment and time at the hospital, she should embrace everyone she met. And she did! Everyone on the Schiehallion Unit has been absolutely fantastic, and the relationships we have made are strong. Georgie made connections with everyone, and her aim is to give back to them, the way they gave to her.”
Coincidentally, Georgie was a patient of Wendy Taylor, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Schiehallion unit (haematology/oncology). Wendy was honoured with the Children’s Choice Award, a recognition given to someone who has made a significant difference to a child or young person undergoing treatment. This award is a heartfelt “thank you” for the positive impact they’ve made on a child’s world.
Wendy works with patients of all ages, from babies to teenagers, and her role spans both nursing and medical fields. However, her focus is always on the young people and their families. “We work to create trust with young people and their families, to walk with them on their journey, managing their health needs, supporting them, assisting them, and being there for them,” Wendy explained.
For families of young patients, it can be a frightening time, and Wendy recognises this. “These families have to trust us with their precious ones. It can be very scary when your child is unwell, but we are there for them, managing their care and looking after them. We are the ‘well kent’ face!”
Wendy and her colleagues work tirelessly to “try to normalise the abnormal,” a quality that impressed the judges. The panel noted Wendy’s ability to translate complex medical information for families with non-medical backgrounds, making difficult times easier for parents. They also highlighted her dedication to supporting each individual child’s unique needs.
Wendy was nominated by a parent of a patient in her care, a testament to her commitment to helping families. “The first I knew about this award was when the dad called me at work,” Wendy recalled. “I was completely taken aback, speechless, which is rare for me! It’s very humbling, as this family is going through intense treatment, and they found the time to think of others.”
Wendy expressed her gratitude for being nominated and recognised for her work. “It can be a hard job and a rewarding job in the same day. We walk this journey up Schiehallion with these families, and like any Scottish hill, we don’t know what the top will be like, but we are always there for them.”
Congratulations to both Georgie and Wendy for their incredible achievements!
