Gold Ribbon Conversations Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland

Trish Gleeson is the CNS for adolescent and young adult cancer in Galway University Hospital.
Nationally, AYA services are developing thanks to people like Trish who understand the needs and adaptions adolescents and young adults need while fighting cancer. 
This group of 16-24 year olds have unique needs, very different to paediatric but also different to adult.
We talk about teens and social inclusion, young adults and alcohol, fertility and education, 
We talk about the validity of needing to belong while also finding a language for what they are uniquely experiencing.  
And why things like chill out areas being funded by Childhood Cancer Ireland are so important to these AYA hospital centres.
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.


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Children’s Hospice Week takes place from 19th to 26th May - a week dedicated to raising awareness for Children’s Hospice and Palliative care. 
We are proud to shine a light on the wonderful care given by LauraLynn Children's Hospice.
I’m joined by Liz O'Donoghue Assistant Director of Nursing at LauraLynn, Ireland's Children's Hospice.
Laura Lynn was founded by Jane and Brendan Mc Kenna in 2001 after their two daughters Laura (4) and Lynn (15) passed away from life limiting conditions, 20 months apart.
As Assistant director of Nursing, Liz joins us to talk about the hospice, the care and the respite it provides. We talk about palliative care and what that actually means for families. And above all - the value of hospice care - wrapping around the entire family.
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.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.
May is brain tumour awareness month.
Brain tumours are the second most common cause of cancer in children in Ireland.
Like a lot of childhood cancers, the symptoms can be varied and can be similar to other childhood illnesses.
Always speak to your GP about any unusual signs and symptoms your child is experiencing.  
In this episode I’m joined by 18 yr old Freya Fitzpatrick and her mum Emma. 
Freya was first diagnosed with medula-blastoma, a brain tumour in March 2018 when she was 12.
She has gone through surgery and numerous rounds of chemo and radiotherapy but her cancer returned in 2022.
We talk a lot about transitions.
The impact of a diagnosis at 12 and missing 1st year.
The impact of a second diagnosis at 16 when her independence should have been taking off. 
And the impact of transitioning out of crumlin and childrens care and being treated as an adult in the health system. 
With some honesty and words of wisdom for other teens going through this.
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.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.
In this episode I’m joined by financial advisor Eleanor Murnane.
Her son Theo was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 14 months old.
He's now 6 and doing really well.
We talk about how challenging it is to figure out the financial hurdles of life while caring for a sick child and why she is now giving her time and financial advice for free to families fighting childhood cancer as part of a brand new initiative. 
Childhood Cancer Ireland has teamed up with the LIA (the centre of excellence for the education and development of financial professionals to provide information and advice to help families navigate their way through this difficult time. 
The financial support programme is free of charge, non judgemental and entirely confidential.
You’ll learn more in this episode - and by visiting 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.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.
Joining me today is Dr. Massa Jabra, a doctor in Syria.
Dr. Massa was appointed Childhood Cancer Advocate for SIOP this year.
SIOP is the International Society of Paediatric Oncology where her role is to spread awareness of childhood cancer and SIOP's work to the paediatric oncology community. 
Massa is also involved with BASMA (which means smile in Arabic), a Syrian organisation for children with cancer. She volunteers for psychosocial support for children. She believes that psychosocial support is as necessasry as medical treatment. 
We talk about what led her to become an oncologist, the challenges of care in a conflict zone, public awareness of signs and symptoms and how when survival is your top priority, healthcare becomes more challenging.
Dr. Massa's work is so necessary and exceptional and we thank her for joining us.
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.

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.
Karen Dempsey is a celebrant and founder of Entheos a supportive service that can walk alongside families when marking an occasion or a loss.
When it comes to funerals, Karen wants to normalise the conversation.
She understands how important it is for people to know that they have choices.
They have permission to be creative and design a ceremony that is meaningful and right for the person they are cherishing. 
We talk about how as a nurse she recognised the need for a more human compassionate support to step in and hold people through their loss.
We talk about how ceremonies can be fun and bright and full of life,
why ceremonies are so good for our souls and
how she encourages anyone who missed out during covid to plan one now with the people who should have been there.

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.