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WebFind: BEANO’s Dennis loses his hair – a special comic in support of the work of Great Ormond Street Hospital

By John Freeman on September 15, 2021

For sick children, dealing with a serious illness can be tough – but there are plenty of people who are more than happy to help them through it, including Dennis and Gnasher!

Over on the web site of Great Ormond Street Hospital, you’ll find a unique comic from the BEANO team titled “Dennis loses his hair”, that aims to opens up discussion around hospital visits, treatment and their impact in an accessible way for young people, whilst highlighting how play can help children to express and explore often sensitive subjects like hair loss.

In this mini comic strip, Dennis – along with sidekick Gnasher – explores how play can help him cope.

Being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia comes out of the blue for Dennis. Being in hospital. Losing his hair. Feeling sick. It’s a lot to take in.

But, with a bit of help from the GOSH Play team, he finds his own coping strategies.

Every day, 619 children and young people from across the UK arrive at GOSH. Every day, doctors and nurses battle the most complex illnesses, and the brightest minds come together to achieve pioneering medical breakthroughs. And every day is a chance for you to make a difference.

This extraordinary hospital has always depended on charitable support to give seriously ill children the best chance to fulfil their potential. A better future for seriously ill children starts here.

• Join Dennis on his journey – read the comic and download your copy

• Make a donation in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital here

With thanks to John Price for spotting this

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.