Celebrate a Life 2024

Who is your shining star?

Each year, thousands of stars are named and hung on Christmas trees outside our hospitals. Behind every star is a story, and Celebrate a Life is a unique way to celebrate those most special to you.

By naming a star and adding a message for someone special with your donation, you will make a vital difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families.

Name your star

Find your star

Once you've named your special star and added your message, you can search for it on our virtual tree by typing the name into the box below.

Jenny Stephenson

Thank you to everyone who named their shining star this festive season, and everyone who joined us at our Celebrate a Life carol services this year. Your support helps us to ensure that The Royal Marsden can continue to make a vital difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families.   

Thank you to everyone who took part and for celebrating the shining stars in your lives.

A group of men in blue wooly hats stand infront of the lit up facade of The Royal Marsden hospital in Chelsea. They are singing carols.

Celebrate a Life carol services

Thank you to everyone who joined us outside The Royal Marsden hospitals for our Celebrate A Life 2024 Carol services. It was wonderful to see so many of you come together for the services, both in person and virtually, in celebration of those special to us.

During these special services, we switched on the Christmas tree lights and enjoyed a selection of hymns, prayers and readings, with performances from local choirs and bands.   

Find out more, and watch the recordings of the services online.

A string of gold stars on a Christmas tree. The middle star is in focus and has 'Anne' hand written on it.

Your shining stars

There were many different reasons why people chose to name a star for Celebrate a Life. It was an opportunity to celebrate the lives of the people most special to us, whether that be in memory of a loved one, valuing everything about them, or to thank a shining star at the hospital, who made a difference.

Every star had a story of its own, and Celebrate a Life provided a unique way of cherishing your shining stars.   

Discover some of the stories behind the stars.

Green background with sparkles

Taking part in Celebrate a Life every year is our new tradition. I really would recommend taking part in Celebrate a Life and going to the carol service. It is a powerful way to come together.

Alison, who names a star in memory of her son Dylan-James.

Order of Service

If you would like a digital copy of the Order of Service, you can download your copy below. Inside, you’ll find the names that were your shining stars of Celebrate a Life 2024.

Name your shining star

Every star names helps make a vital difference to people affected by cancer.