Christmas is on it’s way - which can bring some light and hope but also some sorrow, grief and overwhelm for others.

Joining me this week is Dr. Mairéad Brennan our Principal Clinical Psychologist and Director of Psychosocial Services at Childhood Cancer Ireland for an episode designed to support you over the next few weeks.

We understand that If their child is sick at home or sick in hospital, normal Christmas plans can be thrown into chaos.

You may feel pressure or the want to keep up traditions and fight against it just not being possible this year.

Mairead offers some strategies to help you this Christmas.

We hope this episode offers you some compassion and support - for more please get in touch with us at info@childhoodcancer.ie

To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Naomi Algeo, Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist in Cancer Services with St. James's Hospital

Dr. Naomi is also an Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy at Trinity College Dublin and her clinical academic role is funded by the Irish Cancer Society.

Her research tries to identify the needs of adolescents and young adults as they return to school, education or work after cancer.

Naomi has a special interest in understanding the needs of leaving cert students and she is recruiting this age group to take part in a study to understand what impacts their return to education, work, friend groups and life again.

To take part in this study please contact info@childhoodcancer.ie

To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode we are joined by Martina Quirke to talk about Sophie, her 9 year old daughter who was diagnosed with ALL, Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in January 2023.

And while this is a very open and raw conversation - it is a hopeful one as Sophie's cancer has very successful outcomes.

We talk about the physical but also the psycho social side of cancer at this age, the need for greater psychological support, navigating friendships, inclusion and a loss of identity.

We talk about the fear, the anger, the stamina and the support it takes to find your way through.

To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us today is Paula Conlon, Community and Engagement Manager at Barretstown.

Paula has been working with Barretstown for 4 years, delivering their education and outreach programmes and here we discuss why it's so important to have age appropriate information shared to students, the benefits to the family experiencing childhood cancer and the students.

Every programme is unique, each script written to suit that circumstances and it's always age appropriate.

They talk about chemo, the freddie, the illness and focus on bravery.

We are delighted to showcase another example of amazing support available to families fighting childhood cancer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I’m joined by Michelle and Daniel Burke as they share the long road their son Alex has walked since diagnosis of Neuroblastoma aged one and a half.

Alex is now 4 and after every type of treatment including chemo, radiation, stem cell, immunotherapy, surgery and a very specific medication to treat a mutation - Alex is doing really well.

We talk about his initial symptoms and diagnosis, how Michelle was 30 weeks pregnant with a daughter to also care for when Alex was diagnosed, the years of treatments Alex went through and how last June the news was really not good - until suddenly, the good news they al had hoped for arrived.

We also talk about the supports along the way from Hand in Hand in Galway, play therapists and our Beads of Courage programme.

To help us to continue our services pleaservisit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a guest returning to Gold Ribbon Conversations this week.

We last spoke to Karl Corcoran about 18 months ago - as a young adult Karl had been diagnosed and beaten lymphoma but it had left a legacy of concerns for him as a young adult wanting to build a life for himself : fertility + career.

What we didn’t know then was that Karl would go on to be a dad and he would go on to find a role that aligned with his unique experience and talents.

This catch up episode is here to show us all that we don’t know what positives are around the corner and as KArl says, how important it is to just take it day by day, hour by hour and never let cancer define you.

To help us to continue our services please text GOLD to FIVE ZERO THREE ZERO ZERO and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses the loss of a child to cancer.

If you have been impacted by the loss of a child, you will find information, resources and support at Anam Cara, an organisation which supports parents after bereavement. They also have information for siblings, grandparents and other family members, which may be helpful.

Colleen McNally joins me as we remember her gorgeous boy Daragh.

Shortly after turning 11, Daragh became unwell. He was sick for five weeks and five days before he passed away.

Daragh was an incredibly special little boy. Daragh’s autism was moderate to severe.

Here we talk about his autism, how he was always at the centre of family life, the shock of his acute illness and the legacy of grief they share as a family.

It’s both beautiful and heartbreaking. And we thank Colleen for her words and for sharing Daragh’s story with us.

https://childhoodcancer.ie/story/daragh-mcnally/

Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura and Adrian Healy join me on this episode to talk about their 2 year old son Jamie.

Just 4 months before recording, Jamie was diagnosed with Leukaemia and their lives changed overnight.

With 3 older sisters at home, their normal busy chaotic family life needed endless support from family, friends, the team at St John’s ward and other charities like Barretstown and Aoibhinns Pink Tie.

Laura and Adrian are still very much in shock, it’s very early days for them but Jamie is doing really well and this is an essential listen for any family who is newly diagnosed, scared, lonely and searching for other families going through the same.

***

Please text GOLD to 50300 and donate €4 or visit childhoodcancer.ie for more.

Childhood Cancer Ireland is a charity founded by and led by parents of children with cancer who know that one of the greatest sources of strength for this fight, is conversation. As a non-government funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Ireland values every single donation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.