Warner Bros. Studio Hosts Children with Cancer UK at Hogwarts in the Snow

by · December 10, 2019

Children with Cancer UK took 30 children affected by cancer and their families on a magical trip to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. The children got to spend the evening experiencing a private tour of the studio as part of Hogwarts in the Snow.

They got to experience several fun activities such as riding a broom, trying butterbeer, boarding the Hogwarts Express, using magic wands, exploring the Chamber of Secrets, and visiting Gringotts Bank.

There is one five-year-old girl who attended the event named Sophia Bird. Sophia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2017 when she was just two years old. She completed her chemo treatments and became cancer free just one day before her fifth birthday. Sophia is spending her first cancer-free Christmas in a long time experiencing Christmas at Hogwarts!

 

Photo of five year old girl holding a broomstick in front of her

One of Sophia’s favorite parts of the tour was riding a broomstick for the very first time!

 

The sad part is that several of these children, Sophia included, will continue to suffer from side effects of treatment even after their chemo is over. For example, Sophia has a tremor in her hands from having a seizure during treatment, takes regular antibiotics for her weak immune system, and attends psychology sessions and physiotherapy for her anxiety. Here is a quote from Sophia’s mom, Gemma Bird, about Sophia’s experience with cancer and the Children with Cancer UK event at the studio tour.

We’re thankful to Children with Cancer UK for organising events like these so we can share special moments with other oncology families. This is Sophia’s first Christmas without chemo, and the Hogwarts in the Snow event has been such a wonderful way to kick off the festive season. Sophia loved flying on a broomstick and getting a personalised wand!

The goal of Children with Cancer UK is to help families who have children suffering from cancer find the joy in Christmastime in spite of the hospital stays and chemo treatments. They organize several events around the Christmas season, including visiting Hogwarts in the Snow and an upcoming brunch with Santa.