Jude Brown’s family life was altered after her five-year-old daughter Robyn was diagnosed with cancer following the discovery of blood in her urine in January. Health play specialists like Maureen Houston used toys to explain medical procedures to Robyn, helping her feel less anxious during treatments. The article focuses on how the hospital's Play Team provides emotional support and makes difficult situations easier for children and families dealing with serious illnesses by explaining procedures in a non-scary way and maintaining positivity throughout challenging times.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
A mother's life was drastically altered when her five-year-old daughter, Robyn, was diagnosed with cancer after noticing blood in her urine in January. Initially thought to be a urinary tract infection, the condition turned out to be much more serious. At the Royal Hospital for Children, Robyn received support from health play specialist Maureen Houston who used toy versions of medical equipment to explain upcoming procedures to the young patient. This helped Robyn understand and feel less anxious about her treatments. Ms Brown said that when they went through actual procedures, Robyn was relaxed because she knew what to expect. To help prepare Robyn for losing her hair due to chemotherapy sessions lasting 10-12 hours, Maureen brought a doll without hair to explain the temporary change in appearance.
Written for “Child Cancer Diagnosis Impact” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
A mother has spoken of how her family’s lives were “completely changed” after her five-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer.
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daughter → speak → cancer
Jude Brown noticed blood in the urine of her daughter, Robyn, back in January.
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Brown → notice → January
Initially believing it was a urinary tract infection, they quickly realised it was in fact something far worse.
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it → believe → fact
“From the very beginning, the play team made such a huge difference.”
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team → make → difference
Robyn was introduced to health play specialist Maureen Houston, who used toy versions of medical equipment to explain to the youngster what procedures she would go through, as a means of breaking it down so the five-year-old would understand.
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old → introduce → it
Ms Brown said: “When we actually went down for the real thing, Robyn was great and knew exactly what to expect and what all the noises sounded like, so it made her totally relaxed about the whole situation.”
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her → say → situation
Ms Brown recalled having to tell her daughter that she would temporarily lose her hair due to the 10-12 hour chemotherapy sessions.
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she → recall → sessions
She said: “I was really upset about it.
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I → say → it
How do I tell my daughter she is going to lose her blonde curls?
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she → tell → curls
“I spoke to Maureen, and she offered to come and speak to Robyn about it.
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she → speak → it
She brought in a doll that didn’t have hair and explained, in a kind but factual way, that her hair was going to be ‘having a rest’ because of her medicine, but that it would come back.
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it → bring → medicine
“Robyn was very accepting of it all, and it made such a difference.
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it → make → difference
“The days are long, but the play team helps break the days up massively.
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team → break → days
“They constantly pop in with toys, games or even just for a chat.
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They → pop → chat
As a parent, you’re terrified, but it meant there was someone coming through the door from the Play Team rather than a medical member of staff.”
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it → ’re → staff
Ms Brown has credited the play team for helping her daughter feel normal, despite her circumstances.
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daughter → credit → circumstances
She said: “The doctors and nurses explain what’s going to happen and when, but it’s the Play Team who help us understand it in a non-scary way.
“
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us → say → way
If you bump into any of the Play Team, they know Robyn by name and always ask how she is doing.
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she → bump → name
“Everyone works to make sure that my little girl doesn’t have to think about the fact that her appearance has changed.
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appearance → work → fact
They make her feel like the gorgeous wee girl she is.”
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she → make → girl
She added: “Robyn is princess-obsessed, and they would go and try to find the exact thing she wanted.
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she → add → thing
“They always go above and beyond.
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They → go → ?
I don’t know how they do what they do, especially working with children going through so much, but it never comes across to the children.
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it → know → children
There is constant positivity and joy from them and I think that’s a really amazing thing.
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that → be → them
“The difference they’ve made to Robyn and our family is incredible.
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they → make → family
They have helped make an unimaginably difficult situation that little bit easier.”
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situation → help → ?
Jamie Redfern, director of the Royal Hospital for Children, said: “Our Health Play Team plays a vital role in helping children and families navigate what can be an incredibly challenging time.
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what → say → role
“Through specialist play, preparation and emotional support, they help reduce fear and anxiety, giving children like Robyn the confidence to understand and cope with their treatment.
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they → help → treatment
“I am incredibly proud of the compassion, dedication and expertise they bring to supporting our young patients every day.”
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they → bring → patients
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