From Hospital Bed to Big Screen: Skye’s Courageous Story
Following a period of illness and the discovery of a lump on the back of her leg, 10-year-old Skye and her family were given the difficult news that Skye had been diagnosed with Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL), a rare type of fast-growing cancer. Skye was quickly admitted to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary for surgery and chemotherapy. It was there that an unexpected visitor appeared by her bedside, to open her eyes to the magic of MediCinema.
This is Skye’s story, as told by mum, Layla and gran, Sandra:
Everyone at the RVI has been amazing. Of course it is still hard, but we feel supported here. Skye can’t go out and can’t do anything, because she is going through chemotherapy, but we had a visit from the MediCinema staff that completely shocked us. They came right up to Skye’s bed and told us there was a cinema inside the hospital and shared all the films that we might be able to see. We just couldn’t believe it.
I am amazed how well Skye has coped with everything that is going on, she is such a brave girl. When she lost most of her hair recently, and the remainder was getting tangled, she told us to cut it off. She gives us so much strength, that we call her our warrior princess. Going to the MediCinema keeps her mood upbeat and it keeps her talking, we don’t want her going in on herself.
![get_sub_field('image')['alt']](https://www.medicinema.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/004-Skye-768x1024.jpg)
Skye and her mum, Layla, outside the MediCinema at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary
The first time Skye went to see a film at MediCinema, she was in her bed, which was just incredible. The thought of going gave her some much needed ‘ooomf’. We saw how having something fun to look forward to, shifted her mood. You can’t underestimate getting out of the hospital room, and doing something normal for a while, she was so much better for it.
Why MediCinema Matters
Hospitals can be frightening places for children, but this little taste of normality has been a godsend that has made things bearable. Visiting the MediCinema helps us all not get too bogged down. It helps us change the focus of what’s going on and stops us getting stuck in a rut. We try to go every time we can, because it really makes a difference.
We often look at the new film posters outside the MediCinema and ‘big up’ the films coming soon. Skye loves to plan movies she’d like to see next and we always chat about the movies afterwards. Every time we visit, it is such a positive experience, where we feel relaxed and looked after.
I’d tell anyone in hospital to just use the opportunity to get some normality into your day. We all go through horrific things, but don’t just sit in bed if you are offered the chance to go to the MediCinema. I’d absolutely recommend it – even for parents, siblings, and grandparents, it’s a change of scene and a chance to breathe. You must go along and see what it’s all about.
Above and Beyond: Manager Marc
Having had chemotherapy, Skye’s immune system wasn’t strong enough to mix with other people, so wasn’t able to attend the regular MediCinema screening. Manager Marc arranged a personal screening instead. She came in a wheelchair to see Ice Age 3. At the end of the film, he even gifted her a dinosaur egg toy that his mum had very kindly bought. It was a lovely surprise.
Marc makes Skye feel so welcome, every time she visits. He makes the day just about her, always calling her by her name and chatting away like they are best friends. A lot of the conversations in hospitals happen about children, above their heads without including them. He greets every man, woman and child, with the same enthusiasm. Marc doesn’t just go the extra mile; he goes the extra 10.
