Inspirational Cissy wins WellChild Award

Monday 29 September 2014


HRH Prince Harry meets Cissy Adamou and her sister Melissa at the WellChild Awards

Evelina London Children’s Hospital patient Cecilia ‘Cissy’ Adamou has been named as a winner at the prestigious WellChild Awards - attended by HRH Prince Harry.

She was presented with the Inspirational Young Person award at a star-studded event featuring a host of celebrities including TV presenter Vernon Kay and pop singer Pixie Lott.

The WellChild Awards celebrate the courage of children and young people who have serious illnesses and complex conditions.

Cissy, 15, was born with a serious congenital heart condition which has required three major operations. She has also had a kidney transplant and brain surgery.

But despite all this treatment, Cissy has remained cheerful and positive - she even found time earlier this year to raise thousands of pounds for Evelina London with two friends by having her hair shaved off when she had to undergo radiotherapy.

Grainne Walsh, kidney transplant clinical nurse specialist in Evelina London, and family friend Emma Orpin nominated her for the WellChild Awards.

“Cissy is simply an incredible young lady who I feel honoured to know,” says Grainne. “Her unbelievable strength of character, caring attitude and amazing spirit make her one of the most inspirational young people I have ever cared for.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, HRH Prince Harry said: “I would like to congratulate each of the winners - your stories are moving beyond words. We can learn a great deal from your strength of character, resolve and humour in facing down challenges every year.”

Linda Partridge, WellChild’s Director of Programmes, added: “It is a tremendous challenge to select winners from the many, many truly amazing nominations we receive from all over the country. Cissy truly deserves to be the winner of this award.”

Last updated: October 2023

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