The gift of goodbye | How two hospitals helped a mother meet her grandson

8 October 2026

As part of our 70th anniversary campaign, we're sharing memories that capture the compassion, kindness, and humanity that have shaped Velindre Cancer Service over the past seven decades. This is one family's story.

On 21 November 1995, Fiona welcomed her first child, Charlie, into the world. It should have been one of the happiest times of her life. Instead, it was also one of the most difficult.

Charlie was born a few weeks premature by caesarean section while Fiona's mother, Val, was receiving end-of-life care at Velindre Cancer Centre in Whitchurch, Cardiff.

Val, who was originally from Roath and lived on Albany Road, had previously received radiotherapy at Velindre following a diagnosis of breast cancer. Fiona and her family had known for around six months that Val was dying, but they had hoped she would be well enough to return home and meet her first and only grandchild in a more familiar setting.

Instead, Val's condition deteriorated quickly, and she was moved to Velindre just days before Charlie was born. "It was the most heart-wrenching time of my life," Fiona recalled.

As an only child, Fiona's parents were her only immediate family and her in-laws lived in Ireland. It was an isolating feeling and Fiona, determined for grandmother and grandson to meet, asked staff whether they could arrange an unlikely visit. Their response was immediate.

Just two days after Charlie was born, staff from Velindre Cancer Centre and Llandough Hospital worked together to arrange safe transport in an incubator. A nurse accompanied Charlie, Fiona and her husband Brendan on the journey so a grandmother and grandson could meet for the first time.

The moment remains one of Fiona's clearest memories. Although Val was too unwell to hold Charlie herself, he was taken out of the incubator and placed beside her so she could see him.

"I was shocked at how poorly she looked," Fiona said. "But she was still herself. She was still giving advice about how to look after Charlie. That's the type of person she was, always caring."

Unable to lift her head or move very much, Val nevertheless smiled throughout the visit. Looking back more than 30 years later, Fiona believes her mother had been holding on to meet her grandson.

"I truly think she was waiting to see him," she said.

Kindness and compassion

For Fiona, the compassion shown by staff at both hospitals has never been forgotten.

"The original plan had been for Mum to meet Charlie at home. When that became impossible, everyone worked quickly to make the visit happen. It meant everything to me."

The kindness did not stop there. Fiona also remembers the women on the ward collecting money for Charlie, an act she believes reflected an old Welsh tradition of welcoming a new baby.

"It was completely unexpected," she said. "They were facing their own challenges but still wanted to celebrate Charlie's arrival. It was incredibly thoughtful and touching."

As the visit came to an end and the group began to leave to return to the maternity ward at Llandoch Hospital, Fiona returned to her mother's bedside one last time. "I wanted a final moment with her, just the two of us," she said.

The following day, Val died at the age of 70.

A lasting impact

In the days and weeks that followed, Fiona found herself navigating the overwhelming contrast between new motherhood and bereavement. She organised her mother's funeral from the maternity ward as Charlie received the vital care he needed.

Yet one memory has brought comfort whenever she looks back: "My mother got to meet Charlie. It means the world."

Today, Charlie is 30 years old and, like his mother, has become a teacher. The story of his first meeting with his grandmother has remained an important part of their family. The remarkable event was even featured in the South Wales Echo at the time, helping to share a moment of hope during a period of sadness.

As Velindre Cancer Service celebrates its 70th anniversary, Fiona wanted to share her story as a way of thanking the people who helped make that precious meeting possible.

"I've always wanted to thank Velindre properly," she said. "Everyone was wonderful. It's not something I've ever forgotten."

She also hopes there may still be members of staff who remember the visit. She said: "It can't have happened very often. If anyone remembers it, I'd love to speak to them."

Reflecting on those events more than three decades later, Fiona said the memory remains one she cherishes.

"It was a very difficult period in my life, but I look back on it with a lot of affection. What people did for us meant so much."

Your story is our history

The story of Velindre Cancer Service has been shaped by thousands of patients, families, staff, volunteers and supporters.

As part of our 70th anniversary campaign, we're collecting memories, photographs and stories that help tell the story of Velindre through the people who know it best.

Share your memory and become part of our living archive.