On Tuesday, Princess Madeleine of Sweden visited Astrid Lindgren’s Children’s Hospital in her role as patron of Min Stora Dag (My Big Day). The children’s hospital is part of the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm.
Madeleine received a tour of the hospital and learned how her patronage has teamed up with the hospital to help children. She was also able to spend time with children and their families by making crafts outside.
While there, Her Royal Highness was gifted with a teddy bear and was touched at the gesture, but nothing pleased her more than the time she was able to spend with children outside. There, they played with Legos, made crafts, drew and talked.
The head of Astrid Lindgren’s Children’s Hospital, Svante Norgren, said of the event: “We are very happy that Princess Madeleine has taken the time to visit the play therapy at Astrid Lindgren’s Children’s Hospital today in her role as patron of Min Stora Dag – the visit was very much appreciated by both the children and staff at the ward. In order for seriously ill children to be able to cope with their treatments, which often take place over a long period of time, it is important to look at the whole of the children and not just the medical. Through their activities, Min Stora Dag contributes in a very important way to the children’s healing – getting a wish fulfilled is often a much-needed bright spot in an otherwise very tough life.”
On Instagram after the visit, the Princess wrote: “I have long been a proud patron of My Big Day. Today I had the opportunity to visit Astrid Lindgren’s Children’s Hospital together with Min Stora Dag to get more information about how [Min Stora Dag] collaborates with the healthcare system to give children “Big Days” with encouragement and joyful memories.
“In the hospital’s play therapy, I also got to meet several children who are currently hospitalised. The kids were all real fighters, and I enjoyed meeting them all! I hope with all my heart that the children and their families will have a bright future.”
Princess Madeleine has been the patron of Min Stora Dag for several years and regularly attends events with the organisation. She famously welcomed several ill children to the Royal Palace for a fairytale tea party and dressed up in her Nobel gown and tiara. Her family has also granted wishes to seriously ill children in the organisation, including King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria.
Min Stora Dag is similar to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. They work with hospitals and other healthcare providers to make the wishes of seriously ill children and their families come true.
