Sky High Thanks to Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s Cancer Team

A grateful teen and her aunt have taken their fundraising to new heights after taking on a sponsored skydive and raising over £4,430 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity to say thank you and mark the end of 14 years of care.  

Seventeen-year-old Izzy Waterfield, from Stourbridge, had been a patient at Birmingham Children’s Hospital since she was three, when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. 

Izzy’s parents, Vicky and Edward, noticed Izzy had become pale and that she seemed to bruise easily and after a trip to their GP, Izzy was urgently referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where tests confirmed her earth-shattering diagnosis. 

Izzy quickly began her first course of chemotherapy treatment and over the next two and a half years, more courses followed. During that time, Vicky and Edward, began fundraising for the hospital as thanks for the care their little girl was receiving, shaving their heads along with Izzy’s Auntie Han and Uncle Chris, in solidarity with Izzy, who was losing her hair due to the treatment. Izzy also became the face of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s Children’s Cancer Centre Appeal which raised £4million to upgrade the hospital’s cancer unit. 

Thankfully, Izzy was given the ‘all-clear’ in 2012 meaning she only then needed to visit the hospital as an outpatient for regular check-ups. Although her intense treatment was tough, Izzy has fond memories of her time in hospital, the care she received and the friends she made with other patients on the ward. 

This year, as Izzy approaches her eighteenth birthday, she visited Birmingham Children’s Hospital for one last appointment before being transferred to adult care. Izzy couldn’t let the momentous occasion pass her by so she decided she was going to celebrate by by raising money to say thank you for her years of care at the hospital. 

Having already raised over £1,000 for the charity as part of her role as President of Interact, a committee at her school, Izzy knew she would need to do something huge to boost her fundraising. That’s when Izzy reached out to her Auntie Han to ask if she would join her in a skydive. Without a moment of hesitation, Izzy’s ever supportive auntie agreed. 

Izzy said: “Given that I’m scared of flying, I never thought I’d voluntarily jump out of a plane but I’m so grateful for the treatment and support Birmingham Children’s Hospital has given me over the years that I was willing to push my fears aside.   

“I don’t think it had dawned on me what we were actually doing until we jumped out of the plane and the first bit - when you’re free-falling – was terrifying but as soon as the parachute was open I really began to enjoy it. We even passed through a rainbow, it was beautiful! I’m thinking of booking another skydive – I just need to persuade Auntie Han to come again!” 

Annie Eytle, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’re so grateful for the support Izzy’s family have given our hospital and charity over the years and it’s so special that Izzy wants to continue that support herself now she’s older. 

“The incredible funds Izzy has raised through her position as President of Interact at school and through her daring skydive will go on to support more patients just like her.”