'The rug is just ripped out from under you'

"Being the parent of a child with cancer, it’s like being in a secret club that no one wants to be in,” says Tullamore woman Shirley Keyes, whose daughter, Nicole, was diagnosed with leukaemia in April 2023 when she was five years old. Her diagnosis came about after she fainted in preschool.

To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, Shirley is raising awareness of childhood cancer and speaks of the phenomenal support her family have received from the Irish Cancer Society throughout.

“Hearing those two words ‘it’s cancer’, the rug is just ripped out from under you. But with the help of the Irish Cancer Society, it did not feel like we were carrying the weight of a childhood cancer diagnosis alone. Because of the public’s generous support, the Irish Cancer Society has provided phenomenal support to us as a family. No one knows when the expertise, support and kindness shown to us will be needed in their own homes,” says Shirley.

The Irish Cancer Society offers a whole host of services and supports for families affected by childhood cancer, including:

The Children’s Fund: A grant of €3,000 for families of children with cancer.

Creative arts therapy: For CAYA patients and their siblings to support the psychosocial needs of a young person. This service is available nationwide, at home or as locally as possible.

Irish Cancer Society weekend camps at Barretstown: Allow families to spend time making memories and meeting others going through the same experiences.

In-hospital support: The Irish Cancer Society's Children’s Cancer Nurse at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin Hospital provides free, confidential advice, support and information to anyone affected by a child’s cancer.

Irish Cancer Society Fertility Project: Free fertility preservation and assessment to post pubescent children.

Parent peer support: Trained volunteers offering emotional and practical support to anyone whose child is going through or finished their treatment.

Julie Wren Complementary therapies – The Irish Cancer Society funds a haven on St John’s Ward in Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin which provides massage, reflexology, mindfulness, and meditation to children.

Play therapy: Accredited play therapists which provides play therapy to children with cancer, and their siblings, helping them cope with their emotions.

CAYA counselling and psychological support services: Free counselling for families affected by childhood cancer

Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing: The Irish Cancer Society provides at home end-of-life care for children, adolescent and young adult cancer patients.

Irish Cancer Society CAYA Transport service: This brings children and young adults travelling from Kildare, Meath, Dublin and Wicklow to CHI at Crumlin for treatment.

Anyone with questions or concerns about childhood cancer or about accessing these supports can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or email: supportline@irishcancer.ie or visit cancer.ie