The passing of a great friend

Friday 1st April 2016

We all heard the news with deep sadness. We can but echo the comments of Philip Schofield, Denise worked tirelessly from the first days of what was the Bubble Appeal to what is now the Bubble Foundation. It would not be what it is today without her.

Denise has been our President for the past 23 years. From her first visit to the unit when only 4 out of 10 children survived as she said herself she was “hooked”. During her time as President that survival rate has risen to nine in ten.

Denise was so proud of the great medical achievements made over the years by Professor Andrew Cant and his team. This facility based in her homeland of the North East is now a world renowned unit. Denise always believed in the importance of research and it is the various research projects with funding from the foundation that have helped bring about this success. You cannot however talk about Denise without talking about her outstanding humanity.

Denise met many of the children’s parents and followed the progress of many of the children while in the unit and after they left, to lead full, healthy lives.

She had no hesitation in attaching her name to the Bubble and bringing along the colleagues at ITV’s This Morning who shared our love for Denise. Many are now also patrons of the charity.

She had that rare ability to convince people from all walks of life to support us. Again a testimony to her outstanding humanity.

On behalf of The Board and Patrons of The Bubble Foundation, I would like to extend our sincerest sympathy to Brian her husband and Mark her son and the rest of her very close family.

The Bubble Foundation, the Bubble Unit and the many children who have been cured in the unit will always be grateful to Denise Robertson. Many owe their lives to her.

Denise we will all miss you. John Deighan