Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

Sandra Mangan joins us to talk about her 5 year old son Jude's diagnosis.

Jude was born with ACC Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum.

And then in December 2023 he was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma a rare type of cancer that develops in the soft tissue.

As a family they had to lean on supports for Jude’s disabilities and this was no different. From play therapy through Childhood Cancer Ireland to family and neighbours making sure Jude’s big brother Cillian was always cared for to the kindness of strangers, this episode talks about how a cancer diagnosis can hit even when you think you’ve been through it all - but that there are more people than you know here to help.

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

In our new episode of Gold Ribbon Conversations we talk about the need for platelet donors and how transformative a donation can be for a person fighting cancer with Ger O'Neill a platelet donor for over 20 years and Jo Lawlor National Apheresis Recruitment Manager for the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. 

Ger's son was diagnosed with cancer when he was 3 years old, which motivated Ger to become platelet donor.

While Jo explains why Ireland needs more platelet donors, the process, the criteria of eligability and extends an invitation to anyone eligible to get in touch to learn more.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Daire Plunkett.

Donate for Dáire is an incredible initiative to encourage eligible people in Ireland to become platelet donors with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

To contact the Platelet Donation Team:

Visit: https://www.giveblood.ie/platelets/

Dublin Centre:

National Blood Centre, James's Street, Dublin 8.

Call -  01 432 2833

Cork Centre:

St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork.

Call - 021 480 7429 

To get started, you can complete the Platelet Eligibility Quiz to confirm you meet the preliminary health requirements before contacting the team.

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

In this episode we sit down with Doireann Cassidy, her son Harry was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in 2022 when he was 6.

Harry has the NF1 gene. Harry’s father and grandfather have it so the family would have looked out for lumps on the body but to date everyone has been well so there wasn’t too much concern but Harry developed a non-cancerous lump, a tumour on his brain. 

Even though the tumour was benign, he needed 85 weeks of chemo in Crumlin which took its toll on his body like any other patient.

The family had to adapt, his sisters had to move school to accommodate the new routine, but they found their rhythm and today Harry is doing really well despite the lasting impact on his mobility. 

He has been supported by the NRH (National Rehabilitation Hospital) is using assistive technology for writing in school and is looking for new sports that suits his physical disability.

We also talk about how their story while not cancer had similar challenges due to the duration of chemo, the anxiety over the brain tumour and their hesitance to receive the much needed support. 

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

This week we meet 23 year old Ashleigh Kiernan who works at Barretstown, is starting her masters in September, and fought leukaemia at just 7 years old.  

She remembers quite a lot from treatment including her parents telling her and the fears she had.  

But she didn't let anything stop her living during treatment, and that summer was the first time she went to Barretstown and made a promise to herself to return as an adult to work here helping children and to advocate for survivorship services. 

When she was 11 she started advocacy work through Crumlin's youth advisory group.

she is now a member of YPAG - the young person's advisory group bringing the voices of young people into research.

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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. Always speak to your GP about any unusual signs and symptoms your child is experiencing.

We are joined by Melanie O'Sullivan mum to Rio who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May 2024. And is doing really well.

The family have all leaned on support services, charities, ways to keep spirits bright throughout their time including play therapy provided by Childhood Cancer Ireland. And while this story will never leave them it is proof that there is so much hope and treatment available for a brain tumour diagnosis. 

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or link in bio.

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

This episode discusses the loss of a child to cancer.

While this conversation is essential for families who have experienced this grief, it may be understandably upsetting and so we encourage you to protect your emotional wellbeing. 

Just 18 days after being diagnosed with a malignant rhabdoid tumor, baby Willow passed away in June 2023 with her parents Elaine and Ross and close family members by her side. She was almost 5 months old. Gone Too Soon.

Willow was distressed and refusing her bottles she had previously loved.

Doctors assumed it was reflux and prescribed new formula. 

But it was a tumour on her spinal cord at her neck which was found while on a family holiday in tenerife.

And what followed was an emergency to get home, to get operated on and to try everything they could. But tragically they had 18 days. 

We talk about the signs and symptoms and the importance to advocate for your children. The moments Elaine didnt feel listened to. And the care that wrapped around them in Crumlin. But also very practical things like the importance of the small print on travel insurance, how they honour Willows life and the choices they made in the days they had with her.

You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports on childhoodcancer.ie

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

This episode marks Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week.

To share his story and raise awareness we are joined by Personal Trainer, Cancer survivor and right arm amputee Harry Greaney - and incredible young man from Galway who was diagnosed with a type of sarcoma in his arm when he was 19. 

Harry’s treatment began with surgery, radiation and chemo. But the pain in his arm returned, but because the odds of recurrence was low, he was dismissed and told to take anti-inflammatories. At this age, Harry could easily have not advocated for himself but he pushed hard when he wasn’t being listened to and he was right, the cancer had returned.

Harry’s cancer was aggressive. More radiation, more surgery, more pain and the tumour kept growing back. And the decision was made to amputate his arm 9 months ago. A decision which felt liberating - not limiting for Harry. He could return to fitness training, competing and move forward with his life knowing the cancer was removed. 

And while this story is incredibly inspiring, he talks about how there are still hurdles to overcome living with a disability in this country and what needs to be done to better support AYA cancer patients during and after treatment.  

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month.

An average of 10 children are diagnosed with kidney cancer in Ireland each year.

Over 90% of these cases are Wilm's tumour which is what we are here to talk about today with my guest Kevin Price. 

Kevin’s 7 year old daughter Hayleigh was diagnosed with bilateral Wilm's Tumour in 2025. 

Bilateral meaning there was a tumour on both kidneys, which is more unusual.

Kevin and Hayleigh’s mother Leanne noticed Halyey was losing a lot of weight, no energy and during the summer noticed a mass on her abdomen. Which led to her diagnosis, treatment, surgery and a final chemo date on the calendar. 

And Hayleigh didn’t go through this alone. She has always had the support of her twin sister Hannah, big brother Jack and a special friend called Monkey in a Chair, an initiative being ran by the hospital school in Crumlin to help children feel connected to the classroom even on the days they can’t attend. 

We talk about the road to diagnosis, the power of play therapy and the support their family continues to lean on and as parents how to figure out what each child needs as they go through such worry and separation. 

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

Joining us this week is Emma Cowley who ten years ago at 22 was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.

As a young adult survivor we talk about her experience and the impact her cancer had on her approach to life, her identity, her career now, fertility and the improvements that could be made to better support young adults fighting cancer. 

We talk about not wanting to be identified as the sick one, to stay plugged into life, how it’s allowed her to not let life’s small things bother her and how its not easy being diagnosed at this age when you are caught between needing to be looked after but being treated in adult wards. 

But for anyone at the start of this fight - this conversation will give you positivity and great hope.

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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

Gold Ribbon Conversations - The podcast that supports those fighting Childhood Cancer.

We are joined by Caroline Murphy as she shares her daughter Amelias story of childhood cancer. 

Last June Amelia who is 9 was diagnosed with Leukemia and has just started maintenance phase of treatment. 

Here we talk about those early signs and symptoms and the pace that life moves at once diagnosed. But also how hard it is on the family unit to process it all, to be apart from each other and how maintenance is not a walk in the park.

We all process trauma differently and Caroline shares with courage the times she was able to stay calm and together and the times where her mental health was truly challenged - and the supports she needs to stay mentally strong while existing in fight or flight.

But it’s also an episode of hope and gratitude. Amelia is doing really well and with a garda escort no less returned to school recently and with her beads of courage is showing the world how brave she is.

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. 

Text costs €4. Childhood Cancer Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: Fundraising Solutions. Helpline: 01 202 2810.

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