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.
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.
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.
Senior Family Support Practitioner at the Child and Family Support Service within Diana Children’s Community Service in Leicestershire.
PROJECT TITLE: Twin-based models for more effective treatment of childhood leukaemia LEAD INVESTIGATOR: Professor Alex Thompson INSTITUTION: University of Nottingham AWARD: Approx. £95,000 (funded by The Little Princess Trust and administered by CCLG)
Andy Calvert’s daughter Keira was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2022 aged 14. Andy tells us how the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has supported both her and her younger siblings, Hayley, Aden and Andrew, with their sailing and adventure trips.
Gill Thaxter's daughter, Lisa, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma when she was 10 years old in 1992 and sadly died aged 12. Here, Gill tells us about the impact this had on Lisa’s sister, Rebecca, and how communication has been key to supporting each other.
The Joshua Tree supports the whole family of a child or young person diagnosed with cancer, during and after treatment. Here, Rich Driffield, CEO at The Joshua Tree, explains why it recognises that brothers and sisters, like Phoebe, 23, whose teenage brother was diagnosed with cancer, need care, understanding and space too.
Darcey was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in November 2022 when she was just 17 months old. Her mum, Sophie, shares her story.
