The artwork of two Addenbrooke’s radiographers got a royal seal of approval this week – when it was selected to appear in a display visited by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The royal couple attended a reception at St James' Palace on Tuesday (2 June) to mark 125 years of Cancer Research UK and to meet volunteers, researchers, clinicians, and partners involved in the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer.
Included in one of the displays was a mask worn by children who undergo radiotherapy for tumours in the neck and head, but is painted to look like the Marvel Comics’ superhero, Spiderman. It appeared in at least one national newspaper after the King and Queen visited the stand.
The mask was painted during work breaks by therapeutic radiographers, Eve Tomlinson and Abigail Williamson (pictured L to R below) and aimed at making the experience of radiotherapy less daunting for their young patients.
It is one of a series of masks suggested by hospital play specialists which has resulted in masks depicting unicorns, princesses, Charmander from Pokémon, Salacious B Crumb from Star Wars, Pennywise the Clown.
Some scary Halloween-type requests have come from older children - including Scorpion from Mortal Kombat, The Scream and a linear accelerator-inspired creation. One asked for a Manchester United shirt as a tribute to their favourite team.
Given the special circumstances, the duo tries to oblige all the requests – but designs are strictly subject to parents’ permission, and without scaring themselves too much! Some are taken into schools to explain how radiotherapy works.
Abigail explained:
The artwork helps reduce the fear of wearing a standard mask and having radiotherapy over serval weeks. Our play specialist colleagues often create matching sticker charts to help patients count down their daily treatments.
We feel excited and proud to have had this work displayed at St James' Palace and to highlight this life saving treatment. As importantly we are showcasing the bravery of our young patients, since they are the real superheroes in our books!
Abigail Williamson
The request to Addenbrooke’s to include an item in the exhibition came from Cancer Research UK Cambridge Radnet. Learn more about its work here (opens in a new tab).