Mum creates unique artwork to give other Alder Hey parents and children some hope and peace

When she was a patient in Alder Hey, Seirian Richards and her mum Amanda got creative, using arts and crafts to help fill the long hours and stay positive during more than two years of tough treatment.

“It helped Seirian to manage her pain and helped us both through the dreadful times,” says Amanda.

Now the grateful mum has created her own unique piece of art inspired by the medicines used to treat her 10-year-old daughter for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

The colourful pencil drawing includes around 95% of the plants the drugs were originally made from or the natural ingredients they were derived from to ‘create a beautiful picture of plants and flowers that are toxic, but save lives,” she adds.

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“It represents the treatment in a less scary way, and in a way that shows there is beauty when you get through to the other side.”

The drawing has been presented to Ward 3B where it will be displayed for patients, families and staff as a lasting thank you to the team who cared for Seirian throughout her cancer journey.

Amanda, 57, says:

“There’s nothing gentle about cancer treatment, but I hope this gives a moment of gentleness to those who view it. Being able to do something for the oncology ward at Alder Hey, albeit small, is a privilege.

“I hope the picture may just help the amazing people who work on the ward and the very special families who have to visit in some way.”

Seirian, who was diagnosed with ALL shortly after her seventh birthday, underwent two and half years of life-saving treatment at Alder Hey, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Amanda said:

“She had a complex and bumpy ride,” says Amanda, “suffering many infections and complications, including a stroke.

“It was hard.

“She was often in for weeks and months at a time, so we started out decorating the window of her room to put a bit of colour up. We’d phonetically spell out Seirian’s name, or wish people a Happy St David’s Day,” she adds. (the family live just outside Wrexham).

“We’d create Bore Da – good morning in Welsh.

“It was quite detailed work which often took days but gave us comfort and allowed Seirian to express herself through it. She would draw herself as a superhero, fighting the Leukaemians; and she named all the tubes in her body and wrote a song about those.

“As my therapy, I sewed her Beads of Courage which help children record their cancer treatment – every bead represents an operation or a dose of chemo – onto a piece of fabric. I think there’s about 1,800 beads!

“Art helped her – and us – to get through and remain positive. Seirian even had her own art exhibition in Ty Pawb community arts centre near our home last summer!”

Now, as Seirian continues to recover and is looking forward to starting high school in September, it’s the turn of Amanda’s work to go on display.

Amanda says:

“Chemo drugs are hard hitting but also lifesaving. Seirian had so many drugs that one day I decided to write them down, I don’t know why, and someone just asked ‘do you know what these drugs were originally made from?’ And that sparked the idea for the picture.

“I started sketching them in a botanical drawing and I found it healing.

“As parents on the ward especially we walk those corridors, during the night, when you’re upset, and there are various pieces of art on the walls.

“We have written an explanation of what the picture is together with a list of the drugs.

“My hope is that when people are in fear or a state of panic, not knowing what the future holds, the picture is a gentle way of saying and showing hope and beauty.

“That in spite of the pain and the sickness, and everything that’s happening there and then, you do come out the other side, and you can find beauty in everything.

“Our children are beautiful and they’re going through such a horrendous time when they’re in Alder Hey and so are the parents, and if my picture provides a few minutes of reading, a few minutes of peace and quiet, and hope … I’ll be happy.”

Seirian adds:

“I love all the people who have cared for me. They are a special team. I hope they love the artwork, and it makes someone’s day brighter.”