Louie Rings the End of Treatment Bell
Four-year-old Louie Jackson has celebrated the end of his cancer treatment by ringing the End of Treatment Bell on Tiger Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
Diagnosed in October 2024 with Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a rare and aggressive childhood soft tissue cancer. Louie underwent seven months of intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, surgery, and proton beam therapy.
He proudly rang the ward’s bell, a tradition marking the end of a patient’s cancer journey, surrounded by his family and the dedicated Tiger Ward care team at LGT. The moment was filled with joy, relief, and celebration.
Louie’s mum shared her thanks for the care and kindness shown by colleagues on Tiger Ward: “I would just like to say thank you for taking such good care of my son Louie. We will never forget your faces and the kind words you shared with us during dark times. The care on Tiger Ward was outstanding.
Louie will need scans every three months for the next two years, then every six months after that, but for now we’re focusing on celebrating life. My husband and I want to say thank you again, you all do such an amazing, but very hard job. Never take the NHS for granted; they are wonderful, caring individuals.”
To celebrate, the family enjoyed Louie’s favourite day out at the park and have plenty of exciting plans ahead, including glamping in Wales, a family holiday in Devon, and a trip to Disneyland Paris this September as part of the Magical Taxi Tour. Louie has been chosen to join this annual charity event, where volunteer London taxi drivers take children with serious illnesses and their families on a three-day adventure to Disneyland.
Louie’s mum added: “We want to make as many loving and lasting memories as we can, you never expect the youngest member of your family to be diagnosed with cancer. Life will never be quite the same, but we are learning to adjust and to cherish every moment.”
Samantha MacDonald, Interim Deputy Paediatric Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “The Tiger Team have been privileged to support Louie and his family throughout his treatment. From the very beginning, they have shown incredible strength and resilience. It has been an honour to walk this journey alongside them.”
The End of Treatment Bell on Tiger Ward was donated by the charity End of Treatment Bells, which provides bells to hospitals so children and adults can celebrate their milestone with a symbolic ring.
You can watch Louie ring the bell here.
