A nine-year-old girl from Telford who rang the "all-clear" bell earlier this year after completing cancer treatment has received a special sculpture carved just for her to celebrate her victory over the disease. Dulcie's inspiring story moved a local chainsaw sculptor so deeply that he volunteered to create a unique piece of art for her garden.
Dulcie was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma in 2021, a serious form of cancer that required extensive treatment. Over the course of her battle, she underwent chemotherapy, surgery, and participated in two sets of clinical trials before finally ringing the celebratory bell at Birmingham Children's Hospital in March. The bell-ringing ceremony is a cherished tradition that marks the end of cancer treatment for pediatric patients.
Local chainsaw sculptor and artist Joffrey Watson heard about Dulcie's story and felt compelled to do something special for her. "I got a bit upset listening to it, so I was like, right, I'll ring in [to the BBC] because I can do something - I can do a carving," Watson explained. The artist was particularly moved because Dulcie is only a month younger than his own daughter, making her story hit close to home. "She's a month younger than my daughter, it's that close an age it resonates with you more, doesn't it?" he said. "That could've happened to me, that could've happened to my daughter, [Dulcie] deserves something."
Dulcie's medical journey was particularly challenging, as surgeons had to remove a massive 1.2kg (2.6lb) tumor from her body in 2022. However, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread throughout her system, forcing the family to pursue clinical trials when traditional chemotherapy proved ineffective at reducing the mass. Her mother, Debbie, described the long and difficult process of treatment that dominated their lives for years.
The family received the life-changing news they had been hoping for in mid-February when doctors told them there was "no evidence of disease" remaining in Dulcie's body. "It's a day we never thought we were going to see," Debbie said emotionally. "She's missed so much of what she calls her normal life." The diagnosis and treatment had robbed Dulcie of typical childhood experiences, making her recovery even more precious to the family.
The sculpture Watson created is a bear, inspired by the beloved children's book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." When Debbie initially hoped Dulcie might request something practical like "a really nice birdhouse, a bath, a really nice bench," she was surprised by her daughter's choice. "She said that her spirit animal is a bear," Debbie explained. "A bear represents being brave and being fierce and being strong, even though sometimes you may not feel like it." The symbolism was perfect for a young girl who had shown tremendous courage throughout her cancer battle.
Watson completed the impressive sculpture within just a few hours, working directly in Dulcie's garden using wood generously donated by the nearby Apley Estate. His artistic process is remarkably intuitive and spontaneous. "There is very little process, way less than anybody would ever hope for," Watson described his technique. "I'll turn up and the lump of wood is in front of me, I'll envisage it in my head and that's it, I just cut lumps off with the chainsaw until it's the right shape."
While Dulcie has achieved the major milestone of being declared disease-free, her medical journey isn't completely over yet. Her mother noted that she is still receiving a small amount of treatment that will continue into the new year as a precautionary measure. However, the family is looking forward with optimism, as Debbie explained that 2026 will represent a chance for Dulcie to finally experience life as a "normal child" without the shadow of cancer treatment hanging over her daily routine.
