One minute your life can be carrying on as normal. The next, families hear the devastating news that their child has cancer.
Those first days, weeks and months are overwhelming, filled with so many fears, of treatment, families being torn apart and having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to. Things that used to be simple are suddenly complicated, confusing and exhausting. And as if a cancer diagnosis isn’t tough enough, the financial worries can be relentless, with parents spending an average of £730 more every month.
A child or young person’s cancer diagnosis can leave them, their family and their finances shattered and running on empty.
Your support can be the relief they need when they have no more sacrifices left to make.
"We wouldn’t have survived without the help from Young Lives vs Cancer"
Thomas’ story, told by mum Vicky
“When Thomas was diagnosed with cancer aged one, I just went numb and my world came crashing down. My initial thought was ‘I’m going to lose my baby’. You never expect it to happen to you and then all of a sudden you’re thrust into this world you didn’t even know existed.
“The bills still had to be paid.”
When your child is going through cancer treatment, all the little costs add up. The fuel for travelling to treatment, parking, food in the hospital, the extra clothes when Thomas lost weight and none of his clothes fit, and extra nappies because of the effects of chemo.
And the bills still had to be paid at home. It was hard, we had to cut back on so much. We wouldn’t have survived at all without the help from Young Lives vs Cancer.
Help to thrive
Our Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker, Clare, has just been incredible. She helped us get financial grants so we didn’t have to wonder how we were going to eat.
There’s such a range of emotions, you think you’re handling things ok and then it will just hit you like a ton of bricks. Clare was so supportive and great at just being there for us and just letting us talk. She was always on the other end of the phone, which is just what you need.
I don’t think we would have got through it as well as we have if it wasn’t for that support that from Clare. You look at Thomas now and you wouldn’t know everything he’s been through. He loves going to the farm and being outside. He’s just incredible.”
You can help today
Young Lives vs Cancer is the charity that helps children and young people (under 25) and their families get the support they need to thrive. But we can’t do it without you.
