3 September 2026
Support from Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice
When Arabella was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic B-Cell Leukaemia in October 2024, life changed for her family in an instant. Maria and Michael had been living a busy, active family life with their three daughters, Arabella, aged seven, Amelia, aged 10, and Isabel, aged five. Days were filled with school runs, work, and time outdoors. Like many families, cancer was not something they ever expected to face. Within hours of a routine blood test and hospital visit, they were told Arabella had leukaemia. “It was like the floor fell out from underneath us,” Michael recalls. Maria remembers the shock of hearing the diagnosis, never imagining it would be anything so serious.
From diagnosis to treatment
In the days that followed, everything moved quickly. The family went from living a normal home routine to staying in hospital for extended periods at Barnet Hospital and later Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). There was uncertainty at every stage; what type of leukaemia Arabella had, what treatment would involve, and what the future would look like. Alongside this came practical pressures: caring for two other young children, navigating hospital systems, and trying to process overwhelming medical information. “We didn’t know anything,” Maria says. “We didn’t know if she was going to survive, or what the next few days would look like.” Michael describes the experience as being “thrown into a completely different world” filled with unfamiliar decisions, consent forms, and urgent treatment plans.
Life during treatment
Arabella began chemotherapy soon after diagnosis, delivered in structured phases known as “blocks,” followed by a longer maintenance period. The early stages of treatment were particularly intense. High-dose steroids and chemotherapy caused significant side effects, including changes in appetite, behaviour, and energy levels. At times, Arabella became very unwell and emotionally unsettled, which was extremely difficult for the whole family to manage. Treatment affected every member of the household. The steroids altered Arabella’s personality and appetite, while her sisters struggled to adjust to the sudden disruption in family life.
“Our youngest became frightened whenever either of us left the house because she’d seen us disappear into hospital,” says Maria. “Our eldest found it difficult seeing Arabella receive so much attention. Cancer doesn’t just affect one child; it seeps into every part of family life.”
Discovering Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice
The family were first introduced to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice through support at GOSH. At first, the word “hospice” created hesitation. “When I heard hospice, I assumed it was somewhere children go at the end of life,” Maria says. “I didn’t think it could be for us.” After learning more and visiting the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice website, their perspective began to change. A referral was made and shortly afterwards, they received a home visit from the Noah’s Ark team.
A lifeline for the whole family
From the very first visit, the family describe feeling something they had not felt for a long time: relief. Instead of focusing solely on illness and treatment, the conversation centred on their whole family, what Arabella enjoyed, what her sisters needed, and how life at home was really going.
“It was so refreshing to talk about something other than chemotherapy,” Maria says. With Arabella’s immune system low and travel limited, the hospice provided something essential: a safe place to be together. The family were introduced to Noah’s Ark’s soft play, carefully maintained and accessible play spaces, and family-friendly activities. Even on days when Arabella was too unwell to take part, the family could still come and spend time together. “Sometimes she would just watch us play,” Maria explains. “Even that mattered.” Arabella particularly loved the soft play, toy cars, and time in the play areas. The family also shared simple moments together, eating meals, playing, and spending time outside of hospital environments. “There was laughter again,” Michael says. “That meant everything.”
Support for siblings and emotional wellbeing
A key part of the support from Noah’s Ark has been for Arabella’s sisters. Amelia attended sibling sessions and activities, helping her meet other children experiencing similar challenges at home. These spaces gave her an opportunity to talk, share, and feel less alone in what was happening in her family. The hospice also helped the family navigate the emotional impact on Isabel, who struggled with separation anxiety and understanding of the situation. “We realised quickly it wasn’t just about Arabella,” Maria says. “It was about all of us.”
Music, art, and therapy support
Arabella has also benefited from Music and Art Therapy, both through Noah’s Ark and in school-based sessions supported by the hospice team. These creative therapies provide a different kind of support, helping children express emotions, build confidence, and find moments of joy during treatment. The family describe these sessions as an important part of Arabella’s wellbeing, especially during difficult phases of chemotherapy.
A surprise experience with Tottenham Hotspur
One of the most memorable moments for the family came via a special partnership between Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice and Tottenham Hotspur. The family were invited to a behind-the-scenes experience at the stadium. The day was kept a surprise for Spurs fan Michael, who arrived believing he was taking part in a simple half time interview. Instead, it became a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Arabella was given a full stadium experience, met players, received a signed programme, and was chosen as a mascot walking out onto the pitch before a match.
“I’ve never cried so much,” Maria says. “Seeing her walk out was incredibly emotional.” For Michael, who accompanied Arabella onto the pitch, the moment was unforgettable, especially knowing how far she had come since being too unwell to even leave the house. The experience ended with a surprise video message for Michael from Arabella and her sisters, before his hero, Ledley King, personally presented him with a signed Tottenham Hotspur shirt, making it a deeply emotional and joyful day for the whole family.
More than a hospice
Today, the family continue to attend Noah’s Ark regularly. What began as support during crisis has become an ongoing part of their lives. They describe the hospice as a place of warmth, connection, and understanding, not just for children with serious illnesses, but for their entire families. “It’s not what we expected at all,” Michael says. “It’s so much more than a hospice.”
Maria adds: “It gave us somewhere to breathe again.”
Looking ahead
As Arabella approaches the end of her treatment in 2026, the family are hopeful but honest about the emotional complexity of the journey ahead. There is relief in reaching the end of chemotherapy, but also ongoing anxiety about the future and the possibility of relapse. “We’re almost back to normal,” Michael says. “But not quite.”
Still, they focus on small, meaningful moments, time together as a family, everyday routines, and the progress Arabella continues to make. Looking back, Maria has one message for other families facing a life-changing diagnosis. "It's going to be okay. There is so much support out there and Noah's Ark will help you every step of the way. Don't let the word 'hospice' put you off. It's so much more than that."
And for anyone thinking about supporting Noah's Ark Children's Hospice, Maria’s message is simple. "You never think you'll need somewhere like this until suddenly you do. Noah's Ark gives families a lifeline during the hardest moments of their lives and hope when you need it most.”
Arabella's story is a powerful reminder that in an instant, everything can change. Through our From That Moment campaign, we're standing alongside families when they need us most, but we can't do it without you.
Join the campaign today. Donate, fundraise or lend your support to help ensure more families receive the expert care and compassionate support they deserve. Visit the From that Moment page on our website to find out how you can make a life-changing difference.
