Friends both treated for childhood cancer at Barnet Hospital raising money for NHS charity

Ciara and Kleya are taking part in Royal Free Charity’s Walk for Wards event in Trent Park this September

Ciara and Kleya (credit Royal Free Charity)

Two teenagers who became best friends after discovering they both had childhood cancer are raising money to help thanks the NHS teams who cared for them.

Kleya and Ciara, both 14, met when they started year seven at secondary school and were placed in the same class. It was only after becoming friends that they realised they had both been treated for leukaemia at Barnet Hospital at the same time when they were just three years old.

The pair are now planning to taking part in Walk for Wards 2026, a fundraising event for Royal Free Charity which takes place on Saturday, 19th September in Trent Park.

Kleya said: “I’d never met anyone who had had leukaemia when they were younger so it was cool to have someone I could relate to.”

“It’s really nice to have someone who understands it,” added Ciara.

Both girls underwent years of treatment before recovering and, despite the challenges their families faced, they remember the kindness, compassion and support they received from NHS staff and charities.

“All my memories from the treatment, they’re not the bad ones,” said Ciara. “It’s mainly dancing with the nurses or charities or the fun days out.”

Gentiana, Kleya’s mum, said: “We had great help from nurses and doctors, consultants, all the play leaders in both hospitals in Barnet Hospital and all the charities providing all these events: they would come with instruments for a musical afternoon or bring a dog in the dog therapy room.”

Christine, Ciara’s mum, added: “Everyone has been absolutely brilliant, really supportive. I don’t know how I would have gotten through it without the doctors, nurses and the charity. They were just brilliant, carrying us along.”

Now the families are giving back by taking part in Walk for Wards 2026, the Royal Free Charity’s fundraising walk through Trent Park.

The event brings people together to walk either 5km or 10km to raise funds to support patients, staff and researchers across the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

“We want to give something back because everybody’s been amazing,” said Gentiana. “They don’t just do their job; they go far beyond that.”

Christine said: “We’re doing Walk for Wards to give something back because we’re eternally grateful.”

The teenagers are also encouraging others to sign up and join them at the event.

Kleya said: “When you do something like this, it’s not only that you feel proud of yourself because you’re giving back and helping people, but you also just have such a good time.”

Ciara added: “Just go for it!”

Every step will help to fund ground-breaking research, cutting-edge equipment, and the vital support that people rely on during some of their hardest times.

Royal Free Charity’s vision is for everyone served by the hospital trust to have access to world-leading healthcare. It funds medical research, facilities and services at Barnet, Chase Farm, North Mid and the Royal Free hospitals.

Walk for Wards is open to all ages and abilities. To sign up:
Visit qrco.de/walkforwards

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