Christine Lampard video call with mums supported by cancer charity

In support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, TV presenter Christine Lampard has joined a video call with four mums who are being supported by CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients. During the 60 minute call she talked to the mums about their experiences of what it’s been like for them during their child’s cancer treatment, and heard how they’ve coped during lock-down. Christine told the mums that she often thought about what she would do if the worst happened, and admitted she would be a complete and utter mess.

Joining Christine on the call was Keisha, her 9 year old daughter Aurora was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Grade Large B-Cell Lymphoma in May this year. The family live in Margate, which is 1 hr 45mins away from the Royal Marsden in Sutton where Aurora is being treated.

Keisha said: “Aurora was diagnosed during lock-down, and at the time, because it was lock-down, you couldn’t have anyone with you. She was in for nine weeks initially, just me and her.”

“CLIC Sargent, they check in with me even when I don’t know I need to be checked in on. I get a call and I’m crying down the phone.”

During the call, Christine, a supporter of CLIC Sargent, said to the four mums: “I mean, it’s just a bomb, it lands in the middle of your world, when you hear those words… I just often think, what would I do if the worst happens? And I have to say ladies, listening to all of you, I don’t know what the answer is. I think I would just be a complete and utter mess.”

“Honestly listening to all of you ladies, you just amaze me. I take my hat off to all of you, and to CLIC Sargent Social Workers because they take on board the situations of the families they support, and that must be very difficult.”

Also on the call was Korrina, her son Louis is 18 years old. He finished treatment in August last year for a Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour, a rare type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the nerves that extend from the spinal cord into the body. Louis had some really gruelling treatment, including proton beam therapy in Germany.

Korrina told Christine: “My son finished his treatment last year, and he received a letter to tell him to isolate. He’s just got a little job in a fish and chip shop, that all came crashing down on him. He’s only been there a few weeks, and then he had to tell them he couldn’t work there anymore.

“It’s been really good that we’ve had all the help we’ve had from CLIC Sargent.”

CLIC Sargent operates across the UK, offering specialist support to young cancer patients and their families. Their social workers are experts in helping families handle the day-today challenges that come with a child’s cancer diagnosis. They are there from the moment a family is told it’s cancer to offer emotional, financial and practical support.

Click here to make a donation to CLIC Sargent.

Notes to editors

Images are available to download here: https://we.tl/t-wZJqmxFNab

Video can be viewed here (a download link is available upon request):  https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFG2cq3gnY5/

For more information please contact Alison Millar on 07775 723 755 or email alison.millar@younglivesvscancer.org.uk

About cancer in children and young people
Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK.

About CLIC Sargent
When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients and their families. We provide specialist support, to help and guide each young cancer patient and their family. We will fight tirelessly for them, individually, locally and nationally. For more information, visit www.clicsargent.org.uk

Note to sub editors
Please note that the name ‘CLIC Sargent’ should not be abbreviated to CLIC, and that the word ‘CLIC’ should always appear in capitals, as above.