Your specialist hospital in Southampton.
A life-changing backpack.

For children from the Channel Islands who need specialist cancer treatment, care often takes place at Southampton Children’s Hospital – meaning time away from home at an already difficult moment for families.

But for some children, specialist equipment and innovative care can make things feel different.

Inside each backpack is a small, battery-powered medical pump – known as a CADD pump – that gently delivers a child’s medicine through a fine line into their vein. Carefully programmed and monitored by hospital specialists, the pump allows some children to continue treatment safely away from the ward.

For families travelling from the Channel Islands, this can mean less time spent on the ward and more precious time together – whether that’s relaxing in their local accommodation, being outside in the fresh air, spending time as a family, or simply enjoying a more normal environment during a long treatment journey.

By supporting Southampton Hospitals Charity, you’ll help fund the care, equipment and innovations that make this kind of support possible for children from the Channel Island when they need specialist treatment in Southampton.

Aria’s story

“I’m Suzanne – 11-year-old Aria’s mum. In 2024, our whole world stopped when she was diagnosed with cancer. But thanks to the incredible team at your local University Hospital Southampton, and kind people in our community, she received a backpack that could deliver her cancer medicine safely at home.”

“One moment, Aria was a lively girl who loved acting and days at the seaside; the next, we were living life between hospital walls. Those first few weeks were a blur of scans, surgery and fear. The doctors told us that without an emergency operation she might never walk again. And even after surgery, there were months of chemotherapy ahead – long hours in a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV stand for every dose of treatment.”

“We called the chemo stand ‘the ballerina’! Because it twirls a lot, and sometimes the wires got caught up. I couldn’t really go far with it.” – Aria

“It was heartbreaking to see her tethered to machines day and night. But thanks to the incredible team at University Hospital Southampton and that clever little backpack, Aria could have her treatment safely at home – surrounded by the people who love her.”

“It’s amazing! The pump means I can go home. Go to school. And see my best friends!” – Aria

The difference your donation makes

Your generosity helps fund the life-changing care, equipment and innovation that give children the best chance to get better and be with the people they love.

Because of the small, battery-powered pumps inside these backpacks, children can continue treatment safely away from the ward while specialist nurses check in, guide parents, and make sure no family ever feels alone.

Your gift of £60 could help fund the next innovation that brings hospital and home closer together – so more children can be home for the moments that matter most.

Your gift of £40 could help fund portable medical pumps that allow children to continue life-saving treatment safely at home, and spend more precious time with their families.

Your gift of £20 could help provide the essential equipment and supplies that make at-home treatment possible for children with serious illnesses.