Childhood cancer is the leading disease killer of children in Ireland. Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland is leading the fight against it — and they need our help.
Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland
Childhood Cancer Foundation is a national charity set up in 2013 by parents of children with cancer. Their goal is to raise awareness of childhood cancer, fund support services, and advocate for children with cancer and their families. They receive no state funding and rely entirely on public donations.
Why Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland Needs Your Help
Childhood cancer is the largest disease killer of children in Ireland. On average, 218 children are diagnosed each year, and sadly one in five of those children will not survive.
While medical treatments have improved greatly, many childhood cancer survivors live with serious, lifelong side effects as a result of their treatment.
The disease has a devastating effect on the whole family, who suffer emotionally, psychologically and financially throughout what are often long and difficult treatment protocols.
As parents who have walked the cancer road with their own children, the people behind the Foundation are well placed to understand the many different issues a cancer diagnosis brings to a family.
Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland’s Support Services
Carol the Play Specialist
Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland fully funds Beads of Courage®, an internationally recognised arts-in-medicine supportive care programme, on St John’s Oncology Ward at Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. The programme is designed to help children understand and cope better with their cancer diagnosis.
Children receive different colourful beads for each treatment milestone — for example, chemotherapy or surgery. The beads are meaningful symbols and bring huge psychosocial benefit to the children, showing how they overcame the many challenges they faced during their treatment.
The Foundation also funds a full-time Play Specialist on St John’s Ward, who administers the Beads of Courage programme. The Play Specialist works with children to help ease the burden of hospitalisation and invasive treatments, providing distraction and support at the times it’s needed most.
Their Shared Care Hospital project aims to improve facilities for oncology children hospitalised in isolation rooms across Ireland’s shared-care regional hospitals.
Children in isolation need stimulation within the confines of a small room they can’t leave — not even to visit the playroom or the toilet. Equipment funded to date includes wall-mounted cardiac monitors (to eliminate the risk of contamination), TVs, DVD players, game consoles, lie-flat chair beds for parents, and wall art to brighten up the isolation rooms.
International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day
International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day (ICCAD) takes place every year on 15th February. Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland needs as many people as possible to get involved each year, helping to raise awareness of childhood cancer and much-needed funds for their support services.
If you’re able to help with a shopping centre collection or bag pack, sell some of their gold ribbon pins, or organise your own fundraiser, they’d love to hear from you. No activity is too small, and they’re always looking for volunteers across the country to help make ICCAD a success.
Email [info@childhoodcancer.ie](mailto:info@childhoodcancer.ie) for more information on how to get involved.
As a non-government-funded organisation, Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland relies on the generous support of the public to fund their support services for children with cancer and their families. Visit their website for current ways to donate, volunteer or fundraise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland do?
They fund support services for children with cancer and their families in Ireland, including the Beads of Courage® programme, a full-time Play Specialist at Crumlin, and equipment for isolation rooms in regional shared-care hospitals.
Does Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland receive government funding?
No. The Foundation receives no state funding and depends entirely on public donations and fundraising.
When is International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day?
It falls on 15th February each year. The Foundation runs awareness and fundraising activities around this date and welcomes volunteers.
How can I support Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland?
You can volunteer for a collection, sell gold ribbon pins, organise your own fundraiser, or donate directly through their website. Email info@childhoodcancer.ie to find out how to get involved.
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