02/04/2026
“I wanted to meet, maybe two or three people that understood. What we got was mind-blowing. I met so many amazing families. I thought, oh my god, there's a community here that I didn't realise existed, it was amazing.”
Cordelia and her family have been to Family Camp for four years now. Her twins Tomi and Tobi both needed stem cell transplants, and their older brother was their donor on both occasions – so finding likeminded people who understand exactly what each member of her family has been through has been tough.
“It’s my own time of respite, no cooking, no running around. It’s amazing. There is a sense of belonging and likeminded people there. I've met long-term friends, we meet up outside of camp, we support each other. I look forward to coming every year and I will keep coming until I am not allowed anymore!”
“My older kids love meeting other siblings that also don't have challenge but live with their siblings that do. They understand each other,” she says. “I have always struggled with this, the children with challenge always need more attention, but that doesn’t mean I love my older kids less, being with other children in the same position means they see that's true for them too. They love the archery too.”
For Tobi, camp has also marked a visible journey of recovery.
“When Tobi first came, he had just had his transplant, after being diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, moyamoya, thalassemia and a stroke. Tobi never believed that there were other children going through all of these until we came to camp. Then when we went to Family Camp, the most special part was that I would ask other families which child had the transplant - unless we asked, we would never have known.”
Now, she says, “Tobi is that child now, you would never know what he’s been through.”
For families wondering whether to apply, Cordelia’s advice is simple:
“Do the application, come and interact, ask questions, be free. The friendship and memories you will make from these few days will never be forgotten.”
Family Camp is a weekend residential for families of children who have had, or are preparing to have a stem cell transplant or CAR-T cell therapy – and you’ll be joined by medical and nursing volunteers to give you that peace of mind you need.
This year, it runs from 25th to 27th September, in partnership with Over The Wall Camp.
Find out more and apply today: https://www.anthonynolan.org/patients-and-families/opportunities-and-experiences/family-camp