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

No family ever expects a Childhood Cancer diagnosis to arrive at their door - nor do they anticipate the reality of figuring out their family finances when one or all parents have to step away from paid employment.

It’s a reality for the familys we support at Childhood Cancer Ireland which is why we are so proud to partner with the LIA the Centre of Excellence for the Education and Development of Finance Professionals who volunteer their time with our financial advice programme. 

Joining me on this podcast is Joanne Keane, CEO of the LIA and Richard Ferris, a financial advisor and volunteer with this programme but who is also a parent who understands exactly what you are going through as his daughter Ella-May was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at just 18 months old. 

Here they share more about the programme which provides free expert financial advice to families fighting childhood cancer - how normal it is to not know where you stand with your personal financial policies or employer schemes and how having an expert think clearly for you in this moment is such a huge support. 

And Richard shares his own story as a parent in this situation - why he is giving his time to help others going through this now and gives us all so much hope as his daughter is well, life kept going and their stability returned. 

If you want support through the Gold Ribbon Volunteer programme click here

Are you a financial professional who wishes to join us as a volunteer email us at  [email protected] 

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 me in this episode is John Killilea, a childhood cancer survivor and now medical student. 

John was diagnosed with a brain tumour when he was 13 at the end of 1st year when he noticed subtle changes in his vision.

His story started in the opticians but quickly took him to Beaumont for surgery, then to Crumlin for chemo and St. Luke's for radiation. 

Fast forward to 1st year in college and John had a benign brain tumour removed.

This was in many ways more severe, even though it was benign. And the recovery again interrupted John’s life. 

But he found a way to medicine and is studying a graduate 4 year accelerated course in Ulster University. 

We talk about his experience as a teen, a young adult, his motivation to now work in medicine and his hopes for the future advancements in care for survivors.

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 I’m joined by a Ella Farrell, a young woman who is beginning to reflect on the last year and how cancer interrupted her life without warning. 

Ella is 21 and in December 2023 when she was in her final semester of Galway University she began to have headaches.

Ella received a lot of reassurance that her headaches were nothing to worry about but after a consult with a migraine physio who identified some red flags and ordered a scan, Ella’s Grade 4 medullablastoma brain tumour was found. 

The trauma of this news is impossible to understand, but in Ella’s case there are many things she talks about which could have been handled differently to minimise her distress. 

We talk about her diagnosis, travelling to Germany for treatment, hair loss and mobility issues and figuring out what now - and how to renavigate her life in her twenties. 

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. 

You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports in the show notes and on childhoodcancer.ie

Jimmy Norman, Aoibheann's loving dad and founder of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie joins me as we honour her life and legacy.

Aoibheann passed away from cancer when she was just 8 years old and the name of the charity is in memory of the pink ties worn by the men at her funeral.

Aoibheann's Pink Tie provides practical and financial support to families dealing with childhood cancer - but here we talk about Aoibheann the girl and the huge ambitious plans she has inspired her dad to pursue. 

We also talk about the legacy of grief, Jimmy shares how losing her changed everything including who he was as a father to his other children, the mental health challenges, staying so immersed in the fight against childhood cancer and how his work is no longer a choice but a committment to his little girl and the families she wants him to help today. 

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.

Mom to triplet boys Lindsay Harrison joins me in this episode as she shares her son Joshua’s story of Ewings Sarcoma. 

Joshua and his brothers were all born prematurely, Joshua the smallest of them all. 

He has had to fight his whole life to be here and while his parents fought along side him with different challenges, nobody could have anticipated childhood cancer.

He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the cancer after developing a rash when he was 9 and they were referred to a dermatologist when it wouldn’t clear up and needed a full year of chemotherapy treatment. 

They became 2 separate families with Lindsay and Joshua in hospital and Justin and their other two boys at home, work and school - with all 3 boys handling this new reality differently. 

We talk about the diagnosis, his treatment and how as an autistic child he found it all so overwhelming. 

We also talk about the supports and how as a family they coped, the value of peer to peer support  and the real impact on a parents nervous system during and most importantly after treatment ends. 

Childhood Cancer Ireland and our clinicial Psychologist Dr. Mairead Brennan can be a huge help to families.

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 today by a son and dad team, Rob and Conor Crabbe.

Conor is 13 and was diagnosed with ALL when he was 10 and we talk about looking forward to hopefully finishing treatment this summer, about how hard it's been to miss school, time with friends and never knowing when a temperature might hit. 

Conor has changed a lot over the last 3 years and he looks back on his beads of courage with pride and understanding how much he has gone through. 

We also hear his dad's perspective from symptoms to diagnosis to having to stay calm, positive and keeping the show firmly on the road in work, at home and in his relationship with Conor.

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.

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. 

You’ll find more information on Childhood Cancer Ireland’s bereavement supports in the show notes and on childhoodcancer.ie

Orna Brennan was working a neurosurgical nurse in Temple Street on St. Gabriel's Ward (the brain tumour ward) when she became a mam and had her son Séimí in 2014. 

She said goodbye to all her colleagues assuming she wouldnt see them while on maternity leave but when Séimí was 2 months old, Orna noticed that he was making funny eye movements, ones she recognised from work. 

While in for an MRI Orna knew something was wrong because of how quickly everything was happening and they were told they found a tumour 

Shunts, surgeries, a stroke while in theatre with left side paralysis, then meningitis all before his first birthday and still 'Séimí bounced back each time.  

But in 2017 a new cancer in his cerebospinal fluid changed everything and with a little life of 3 years and 3 months, 'Séimí passed away at home with Orna and his dad Dave by his side. 

Séimí's fought for his whole life - but his cancer was not who he was.

As Orna takes us through - he was a big brother, a best pal, he brought sunshine to the ward with his 'Séimí shuffle and he was brave beyond measure and left his mark on their family and the team on St. Gabriels Ward. 

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.

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.

Sinead Egan joins me in this episode to share her daughter Abigail’s story of a rare brain tumour diagnosis known as APXA just over a year ago. 

Abigail is now 8 and is doing really well after an extremely intense year of surgery in Temple Street and proton beam therapy in Manchester but as the tumour is rare its been difficult to find information and connect with other people with a similar diagnosis. 

We talk about the initial symptoms as Abigail began to drag her leg and how while visiting a physiotherapist the urgency of see a neurosurgeon became flagged, how everything began to move so quickly after this point with the family moving to Manchester for 7 weeks while trying to maintain as much normality as they could for Abigail and her younger brother Ben - and the support that has kept their family standing throughout this past year.

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.

Just over 10 years ago, when Sarah O’Neill was 17 when she was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Sarah’s life changed that day and while she did beat cancer here she reflects on the ways it changed the course of her life, her fears, her fertility, her strengths and her purpose as she dedicates her career to fitness and has joined the programme committee for our CAYAS conference - childhood, adolescent and young adult cancers and survivorship.

Sarah’s consultant said to her 'give me a year of your life and you'll be back to normal'. But in many ways she feels “normal” was never coming back. 

Here we talk about the impact of the diagnosis at her age, her concerns and frustrations around fertility preservation, early menopause and a health system not used to supporting women at her age. 

And why exercise has been so important for her mental health, her sense of control and her drive to use what she learned at 17 to help anyone who needs to get back on track with their life.

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 me today is Ciara Ui Chonghaile to share her son Rian’s T-Cell Lymphoma's diagnosis in 2022. .

it was a rough start but once Rian responded really well to treatment he wanted to reintegrate into school and sports as much as he could - and 2 years on is now in maintenance - due to finish in April 2026. 

It’s been a heavy few years for this little family and while it’s not over yet they have so much hope whats ahead and are now looking to support others as Ciara has recently joined the Board of Childhood Cancer Ireland and as she lent on this podcast so much when Rian was diagnosed, today her story could help you. 

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.