How we help researchers make a difference
Did you know that CCLG is the professional body for all healthcare professionals and researchers who work in young people’s cancer services across the UK and Ireland?
Supporting siblings to build connections with special residential trips
Barretstown offers free, specially designed camps and programmes for children living with cancer and other serious illnesses and their families. Here, Siobhan Kavanagh, its Director of Medical and Programme, tells us about their support for siblings.
I’ve learnt so much about the quiet strength of siblings
Elizabeth’s daughter, Sarah, who also has Down syndrome, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016, aged 15. Here, she tells us how her youngest daughter, Hannah, then eight, provided support to her sister, and about the challenges of balancing family life while a child is on treatment.
"It was confusing for her, but we did our best to be open and honest”
Rosa Kaminska’s son, George, was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in December 2022 aged six. Here, she explains the impact of this on George’s sister, Anna, what helped them as a family during his early treatment, and offers advice to others.
“We know that the immediate family can’t do it all alone and shouldn’t have to”
Rebecca Wood is CEO of Tom’s Trust, a charity that provides psychological support to children with brain tumours and their families. Here, she explains how the charity recognised the need to help families support the brothers and sisters of children with cancer by developing an expert-written sibling toolkit.
Understanding and supporting the sibling experience
When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, this is felt across the whole family, and though not undergoing treatment themselves, siblings are often affected in ways that may be less visible but deeply felt. Here, Dr Claire Wright, Clinical Psychologist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, explains how siblings might feel, and offers tips and advice to help support them.
How our kind-hearted son kept our family going during his sister’s treatment
Colette Robinson-Mellor's daughter, Hollie, was diagnosed with an eye cancer, called retinoblastoma, aged 13 months in 2024. Here, Colette tells us how Hollie’s brother, Ted, who was four at the time of his sister’s diagnosis, helped and supported the whole family, and how they also navigated his own worries.
How my experiences of my brother’s cancer treatment have inspired me to help others
Evie Mattison was nine years old when her brother, Dan, was diagnosed with leukaemia as a teenager in 2014. Here, she describes what helped her during Dan’s treatment, and how her family’s experiences have shaped her life, studies and ambitions.
What are three key components of sibling support?
There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to supporting siblings of children and young people with cancer. There are, however, key components of support that can make a big difference to siblings, which we’ve established through listening to the voices of siblings* themselves.