This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, help us make sure children with cancer get the vital support they need. When they need it. Email your representative in parliament now.
Being a child is being carefree. It’s exploring the world around you and making memories that stay with you for a lifetime. It’s uncontrollable laughter and finding adventure in the every day. But cancer can take it all away.
When it does, children and their families deserve to feel like their wellbeing is as much of a priority as their medical care. They should know that everyone around them understands their unique needs and the systems that seek to support them won’t let them down. That isn’t the case right now.
Because the systems and policies that surround children with cancer and their families just aren’t good enough. They’re leaving lasting damage on young lives.
But together, we have the power to make change happen.
Our North Star vision is ground-breaking, systemic change. It’s a reality where children’s voices and needs are heard loud and clear. A future where their wellbeing is as much of a priority as their cancer treatment.
This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, help us transform the future of cancer care and support for children with cancer. Email your representative in parliament now.
We’ve made contacting your representative really simple. You don’t need to worry about what to say or even open your email account. Just fill in some basic details, we’ll work out who your representative is, then in a couple of clicks a pre-prepared email will be sent straight to them.
Amelie’s story
When Amelie was 11, her world came crashing down. One day, she was a confident gymnast, runner, singer and beat-boxer, the next she was undergoing a ten-hour surgery to have a tumour removed from her brain, followed by intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. When Amelie woke up from surgery, she’d lost her mobility, her speech and her vision. Here she talks about the impact on her wellbeing, and what got her through.
“When I was diagnosed I felt really scared, and worried of how I would be treated to be all better. I didn’t know what my friends would be like when I got better, or what my family would be like.
“Each day when I would wake up in the morning I would be happy but then I would remember I had to go to clinic today or have another shot of chemo, but chemo would affect my nerves, and my skin would hurt if I adjusted myself on my bed, and remembering I had to do all of that would make me so gloomy.
“During my chemo I was always on my own in one room, everyone else was having treatment for other cancers, in separate rooms. I bumped into patients down the corridor. I’d say ‘Hi’ but they’d be tired and sad, and frustrated as well, so didn’t interact. It made me feel isolated and lonely.
“I had one friend who had tumour on her ribs. We got talking because both our names are French. Having someone to talk to going through the same experience made me feel less alone.
“How I coped in the toughest times was just definitely knowing I have my family around me and I have friends waiting for me and for my dog, Dotty.”
Amelie and her family were supported by Siobhan, a Young Lives vs Cancer Specialist Social Worker and Amelie also attended some of our digital mental health and well-being support groups where she met other children in similar situations.
But a third of those diagnosed with cancer as a child (33%) report not receiving any support to improve their emotional and mental wellbeing during their treatment. This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, help us transform the future of cancer care and support for children with cancer, like Amelie. Email your representative in parliament now.
More ways to get involved this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Walk 80 miles in September to support young cancer patients during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Take on a challenge
Easy to access, low commitment opportunities full of possibilities. Use your skills to benefit children and young people with cancer.
Volunteer with us
Fancy a haircut while fundraising for children with cancer? Shave, cut, dye or style your hair on any date in September.
Sign up today
Make a donation
Donate today so children with cancer like Amelie can get the vital support they need, when they need it.