Contact magazine: Community

Teens Unite Fighting Cancer supports teenagers and young adults living with cancer and its lasting effects. Roxanne Lawrance, CEO, explains how it aims to create a community so patients can support each other as they begin to rebuild their lives

Ceri Hogg is a research clinical nurse specialist, CCLG member and co-chair of the national Children’s Cancer Research Nurses Group (CCRNG). Here, she tells us what being part of CCLG’s professional community means to her and the benefits it brings.

Proteins in our cells work together to carry out all the functions required for life. My research team at the University of Southampton studies the interactions between proteins in cancer cells, which allows us to understand which proteins drive the formation of cancers and how they contribute to cancer severity.

Senior Academic Consultant at University of York, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Leeds Children’s Hospital and CCLG member.

Natalie Kisby is Head of Family Support at Candlelighters, a regional charity providing emotional, practical and financial support to families of children with cancer in Yorkshire. She discusses the importance and advantages of different communities in supporting families through childhood cancer.

Claire Farish’s son, Max, was 11 years old when diagnosed with cancer in May 2021. She explains how her family initially felt isolated after his diagnosis, but eventually found hope, support and understanding after reaching out.

Ross Long was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013. He tells us about those who supported him and how he plans to write a book to lessen the isolation of other young people diagnosed with cancer.

Naomi Shefford-Thomas is CCLG’s Information Executive and mum to Phoebe, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2016. She tells us how invaluable online support from other parents helped her navigate her daughter’s treatment and offers advice to others looking to find the same.

Leanne Connor & Dan Blamires are members of ‘Unity: The After Cure Choir’. They tell us how the choir provides patients from the Leeds long-term follow-up (LTFU) service with a warm and welcoming space to come together, have fun and support each other.

Toria Pick, Family Support Worker at PASIC explains about her career so far, what her role involves, what her proudest moment is , what her job means to her and how families can find out about accessing a family support worker.

Dave Hartley’s daughter Evie was diagnosed with a brain tumour, aged 12. Here, he tells us how the keen cyclist received support from her club, town and wider cycling communities, and how, in turn, she inspired them to achieve incredible things.

Dr Ren Manias, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Southampton General Hospital and Contact's new medical adviser

Collaboration, teamwork and partnerships are vital to childhood cancer research. Ellie Wilkinson, CCLG's Research Communications Executive, explains how charities are coming together and researchers are linking up to work towards a better future for children with cancer.