The C Tea

In this podcast Helen and I talking to Sinead and Gina about their first time sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Sinead and Gina were both diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in their early 20s and both were supported by Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker Sile who encouraged them to give sailing a go through the Trust.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a UK-based national charity where young people (aged 8-24) who have finished cancer treatment can try free sailing trips and outdoor adventures. By connecting you with others who've faced similar situations, EMCT can help you rediscover your independence, build self-confidence and help with that sometimes tricky transition back to normal life after treatment- which is exactly what Sinead and Gina found through their trip and more.

If you're interested in finding out more about EMCT you can visit their website, their youtube channel (which has lots of cool videos including boat tours), Facebook, and Instagram. They even have their own podcast series called Sound Waves.

If you're living in Northern Ireland post-treatment from cancer and interested in a trip contact Helen if you're under 18 years old or Laura if you're over 18 years old. Our contact details are below.

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Amy’s House Belfast | Paul’s House Belfast Email: [email protected]| [email protected] | [email protected] Call: 0300 303 5220 Facebook: Young Lives vs Cancer in Northern Ireland Simon & Laura’s Instagram: @Simon.YoungLives | @LauraYoungLives Move Forward Crossfit Programme Instagram: @CrossfitMoveForward

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form Email: [email protected] | [email protected] Call: 028 9080 5599 Facebook: Cancer Fund for Children Instagram: @CancerFundforChildren

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses the death of a young person from cancer which you may find upsetting or distressing

In this podcast Silé and Simon from Young Lives vs Cancer take over from Laura and Helen to speak to Maciej. Maciej fell in love with Aga while she was receiving treatment for Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Aga unfortunately died from a rare condition called Bloom Syndrome. Maciej talks about what it was like to fall in love with someone while they were receiving cancer treatment. What it was like to become a carer for his partner and navigate her hospital family.

There are organisations in Northern Ireland and the UK to support you and your family with bereavement. If you have lost a partner check out Widowed and Young. If you have lost a child or a sibling look at Child Bereavement UK, Winston's Wish, the Compassionate Friends, Slow Group (online), Cruse Bereavement Support, as well as Young Lives vs Cancer and Cancer Fund for Children (details below). Maciej also speaks about how useful he found Lifeline who you can contact 24/7 on 0808 808 8000

Maciej also references the Willow Foundation who help seriously ill young adults make lasting memories- which they did by funding a meal from Aga’s favourite restaurant on the ward before she died.

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children 

Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form  

In this special episode Lily from Cancer Fund for Children and Simon from Young Lives vs Cancer talk to Viktorija who is 23 years old and has been supported by Lily and Cancer Fund for Children in Dublin. Viktorija was diagnosed with medullary thyroid cancer in August 2022 which has spread to her lungs, liver, and pelvis. She shares the importance of staying positive and surrounding oneself with supportive people. Her story highlights the significance of human connection, whether through the compassionate care of her medical team or the unwavering support of her family and boyfriend. Viktorija’s experience at Daisy Lodge, a place where young people with cancer can connect, underscores the value of community and shared experiences. 

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children 

In this episode we talk to Ryan and Rachael who have become fierce friends thanks to a residential in Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge. While there cancer diagnosis was different (Ryan was diagnosed with Leukaemia and Rachael was diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma brain tumour), we spend some time chatting about their diagnosis and treatment, what Radiotherapy is like, and what life has been like since and the joy of meeting others and trying new things. Enjoy!

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children 

Welcome to S4 of the C Tea!

In this feel-good and heartwarming episode, we’re joined by two absolute legends—Jake and Ella—who know a thing or two about what it means to be a sibling of someone diagnosed with cancer. Ella’s sister Phoebe was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Jake’s little sister (also called Ella!) faced a brain tumour diagnosis. They sit down with Simon and Helen to spill the C-Tea on what it’s really like being the sibling—how they coped, supported, laughed (a lot), and grew through it all.

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children 

Website: https://cancerfundforchildren.com/ | Daisy Lodge | Referral Form 

In this podcast Laura from Young Lives vs Cancer and Helen from Cancer Fund for Children speak to Donna and Aileen who both had daughters diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 15 years old and were treated in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. They talk about what it was like to raise teenagers with cancer, supporting siblings, motherhood, life after treatment, and the joy of meeting other parents who just get it.

If you are a parent of child, teenager or young adult being treated for cancer in Northern Ireland there are support services out there for you! Get in touch with Cancer Fund for Children (details below) to learn about their parents support sessions, or you can join the Young Lives vs Cancer UK wide parents and carer's Facebook group here.

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund who enable us to share these stories. 

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children 

This mini series for the C Tea podcast celebrates Social Work Week from Monday 17th to 21st of March 2025. In this podcast episode Simon our Social Work Team Leader in Northern Ireland from Young Lives vs Cancer speaks to Daniel a 28-year-old residential social worker. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 16, Daniel shares his journey from a healthy teenager to a cancer survivor and how it inspired his career in social work.

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund who enable us to share these stories. 

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children 

This mini series for the C Tea podcast celebrates Social Work Week from Monday 17th to 21st of March 2025. In this podcast episode the tables turn and Josie interviews Simon our Social Work Team Leader in Northern Ireland from Young Lives vs Cancer. With 13 years of experience, Simon shares his passion for supporting young people and families affected by cancer. Simon chats about balancing his managerial responsibilities with hands-on work, leading initiatives like the MOVE Forward program. His story highlights the importance of addressing non-clinical aspects of cancer, providing emotional, practical, and financial support. Simon reflects on his path to social work, emphasizing resilience, self-care, and the evolving nature of the profession. Enjoy!

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund who enable us to share these stories. 

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk| Amy’s House Belfast | Paul’s House Belfast 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children 

This mini series for the C Tea podcast celebrates Social Work Week from Monday 17th to 21st of March 2025. In this podcast episode Simon our Social Work Team Leader in Northern Ireland from Young Lives vs Cancer speaks to Josie who was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma in her early 20s but is now a qualified social worker working in Northern Ireland. Josie chats passionately about her career, the benefits of being supported by Simon and Young Lives vs Cancer, and peer support. Enjoy!

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund who enable us to share these stories. 

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children 

This mini series for the C Tea podcast celebrates Social Work Week from Monday 17th to 21st of March 2025. In this podcast episode Simon our Social Work Team Leader in Northern Ireland from Young Lives vs Cancer speaks to Cathie who had thyroid cancer as a teenager but is now a qualified social worker working in residential care. Cathie talks about her initial impression of Simon and how ultimately his support during and after her treatment inspired her career choice. Enjoy!

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund who enable us to share these stories. 

If you’d like to get in touch with Young Lives vs Cancer 

If you’d like to get in touch with Cancer Fund For Children